Higher Power High Frequency Wireless Power Transfer System

ABSTRACT

Wireless power transfer systems, disclosed, include one or more circuits to facilitate high power transfer at high frequencies. Such wireless power transfer systems may include a damping circuit, configured to dampen a wireless power signal such that communications fidelity is upheld at high power. Additionally or alternatively, such wireless power transfer systems may include voltage isolation circuits, to isolate components of the wireless receiver systems from high voltage signals intended for a load associated with the receiver. Utilizing such systems enables wireless power transfer at high frequency, such as 13.56 MHz, at voltages over 1 Watt, while maintaining fidelity of in-band communications associated with the higher power wireless power signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods forwireless transfer of electrical power and/or electrical data signals,and, more particularly, to high frequency wireless power transfer atelevated power levels, while maintaining communications fidelity.

BACKGROUND

Wireless connection systems are used in a variety of applications forthe wireless transfer of electrical energy, electrical power,electromagnetic energy, electrical data signals, among other knownwirelessly transmittable signals. Such systems often use inductivewireless power transfer, which occurs when magnetic fields created by atransmitting element induce an electric field, and hence, an electriccurrent, in a receiving element. These transmitting and receivingelements will often take the form of coiled wires and/or antennas.

Transmission of one or more of electrical energy, electrical power,electromagnetic energy and/or electronic data signals from one of suchcoiled antennas to another, generally, operates at an operatingfrequency and/or an operating frequency range. The operating frequencymay be selected for a variety of reasons, such as, but not limited to,power transfer characteristics, power level characteristics,self-resonant frequency restraints, design requirements, adherence tostandards bodies' required characteristics (e.g. electromagneticinterference (EMI) requirements, specific absorption rate (SAR)requirements, among other things), bill of materials (BOM), and/or formfactor constraints, among other things. It is to be noted that,“self-resonating frequency,” as known to those having skill in the art,generally refers to the resonant frequency of a passive component (e.g.,an inductor) due to the parasitic characteristics of the component.

When such systems operate to wirelessly transfer power from atransmission system to a receiver system, via the coils and/or antennas,it is often desired to simultaneously or intermittently communicateelectronic data from one system to the other. To that end, a variety ofcommunications systems, methods, and/or apparatus have been utilized forcombined wireless power and wireless data transfer. In some examplesystems, wireless power transfer related communications (e.g.,validation procedures, electronic characteristics data communications,voltage data, current data, device type data, among other contemplateddata communications) are performed using other circuitry, such as anoptional Near Field Communications (NFC) antenna utilized to complimentthe wireless power system and/or additional Bluetooth chipsets for datacommunications, among other known communications circuits and/orantennas.

However, using additional antennas and/or circuitry can give rise toseveral disadvantages. For instance, using additional antennas and/orcircuitry can be inefficient and/or can increase the BOM of a wirelesspower system, which raises the cost for putting wireless power into anelectronic device. Further, in some such systems, out of bandcommunications caused by such additional antennas may result ininterference, such as out of band cross-talk between such antennas.Further yet, inclusion of such additional antennas and/or circuitry canresult in worsened EMI, as introduction of the additional system willcause greater harmonic distortion, in comparison to a system whereinboth a wireless power signal and a data signal are within the samechannel. Still further, inclusion of additional antennas and/orcircuitry hardware, for communications, may increase the area within adevice, for which the wireless power systems and/or components thereofreside, complicating a build of an end product.

To avoid these issues, as has been illustrated with modern NFC DirectCharge (NFC-DC) systems and/or NFC Wireless Charging systems incommercial devices, legacy hardware and/or hardware based on legacydevices may be leveraged to implement both wireless power transfer anddata transfer, either simultaneously or in an alternating manner.However, current communications antennas and/or circuits for highfrequency communications, when leveraged for wireless power transfer,have much lower power level capabilities than lower frequency wirelesspower transfer systems, such as the Wireless Power Consortium's Qistandard devices. Utilizing higher power levels in current highfrequency circuits may result in damage to the legacy equipment.

Additionally, when utilizing higher power transfer capabilities in suchhigh frequency systems, such as those found in legacy systems, wirelesscommunications may be degraded when wireless power transfer exceeds lowpower levels (e.g., 300 mW transferred and below). However, withoutclearly communicable and non-distorted data communications, wirelesspower transfer may not be feasible.

SUMMARY

To that end, new high frequency wireless power systems, which utilizenew circuits for allowing higher power transfer (greater than 300 mW),without damaging circuitry and/or without degrading communications belowa desired standard data protocol, are desired.

Wireless transmission systems disclosed herein may include a dampingcircuit, which is configured for damping an AC wireless signal duringtransmission of the AC wireless signal and associated data signals. Thedamping circuit may be configured to reduce rise and fall times duringOOK signal transmission, such that the rate of the data signals may notonly be compliant and/or legible but may also achieve faster data ratesand/or enhanced data ranges, when compared to legacy systems.

Damping circuits of the present disclosure may include one or more of adamping diode, a damping capacitor, a damping resistor, or anycombinations thereof for further enhancing signal characteristics and/orsignal quality.

In some embodiments wherein the damping circuit includes the dampingresistor, the damping resistor is in electrical series with the dampingtransistor 63 and has a resistance value (ohms) configured such that itdissipates at least some power from the power signal. Such dissipationmay serve to accelerate rise and fall times in an amplitude shift keyingsignal, an OOK signal, and/or combinations thereof.

In some such embodiments, the value of the damping resistor is selected,configured, and/or designed such that the damping resistor dissipatesthe minimum amount of power to achieve the fastest rise and/or falltimes in an in-band signal allowable and/or satisfy standardslimitations for minimum rise and/or fall times; thereby achieving datafidelity at maximum efficiency (less power lost to resistance) as wellas maintaining data fidelity when the system is unloaded and/or underlightest load conditions.

In some embodiments wherein the damping circuit includes the dampingcapacitor, the damping capacitor may be configured to smooth outtransition points in an in-band signal and limit overshoot and/orundershoot conditions in such a signal.

In some embodiments wherein the damping circuit includes the dampingdiode, the diode is positioned such that a current cannot flow out ofthe damping circuit, when a damping transistor is in an off state. Thus,the diode may prevent power efficiency loss in an AC power signal whenthe damping circuit is not active.

The wireless receiver systems disclosed herein utilize a voltageisolation circuit, which may have the capability to achieve proper datacommunications fidelity at greater receipt power levels at the load,when compared to other high frequency wireless power transmissionsystems. To that end, the wireless receiver systems, with the voltageisolation circuits, are capable of receiving power from the wirelesstransmission system that has an output power at levels over 1 W ofpower, whereas legacy high frequency systems may be limited to receiptfrom output levels of only less than 1 W of power.

For example, in legacy NFC-DC systems, the poller (receiver system)often utilizes a microprocessor from the NTAG family of microprocessors,which was initially designed for very low power data communications.NTAG microprocessors, without protection or isolation, may notadequately and/or efficiently receive wireless power signals at outputlevels over 1 W. However, inventors of the present application havefound, in experimental results, that when utilizing voltage isolationcircuits as disclosed herein, the NTAG chip may be utilized and/orretrofitted for wireless power transfer and wireless communications,either independently or simultaneously.

To that end, the voltage isolation circuits disclosed herein may utilizeinexpensive components (e.g., isolation capacitors) to modifyfunctionality of legacy, inexpensive microprocessors (e.g., an NTAGfamily microprocessor), for new uses and/or improved functionality.Further, while alternative controllers may be used as the receivercontroller 38 that may be more capable of receipt at higher voltagelevels and/or voltage swings, such controllers may be cost prohibitive,in comparison to legacy controllers. Accordingly, the systems andmethods herein allow for use of less costly components, for high powerhigh frequency wireless power transfer.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a wireless powertransfer system is disclosed. The wireless power transfer systemincludes a wireless power transmission system and a wireless powerreceiver system. The wireless power transmission system includes atransmitter antenna, a transmitter controller, and an amplifier. Thetransmitter antenna is configured to couple with at least one otherantenna and transmit alternating current (AC) wireless signals to the atleast one antenna, the AC wireless signals including wireless powersignals and wireless data signals. The transmitter controller isconfigured to (i) provide a driving signal for driving the transmitterantenna based on an operating frequency for the wireless power transfersystem and (ii) perform one or more of encoding the wireless datasignals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless datasignals, or transmitting the wireless data signals. The amplifierincludes at least one transistor that is configured to receive thedriving signal at a gate of the at least one transistor and invert adirect power (DC) input power signal to generate the AC wireless signalat the operating frequency. The amplifier further includes a dampingcircuit that is configured to dampen the AC wireless signals duringtransmission of the wireless data signals, wherein the damping circuitincludes at least a damping transistor that is configured to receive,from the transmitter controller, a damping signal for switching thetransistor to control damping during transmission of the wireless datasignals. The wireless receiver system includes a receiver antenna, apower conditioning system, and a receiver controller. The receiverantenna is configured for coupling with the transmitter antenna andreceiving the AC wireless signals from the transmitter antenna, thereceiver antenna operating based on the operating frequency. The powerconditioning system is configured to (i) receive the wireless powersignals, (ii) convert the wireless power signal from an AC wirelesspower signal to a DC wireless power signal, and (iii) provide the DCpower signal to, at least, a load associated with the wireless powerreceiver system. The receiver controller is configured to perform one ormore of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless datasignals, receiving the wireless data signals, or transmitting thewireless data signals.

In a refinement, the damping circuit is in electrical parallelconnection with a drain of the at least one transistor.

In a refinement, the damping circuit further includes a damping resistorthat is in electrical series with the damping transistor and isconfigured for dissipating at least some power from the power signal.

In a refinement, the damping circuit further includes a dampingcapacitor that is in electrical series with, at least, the dampingtransistor.

In a refinement, the damping circuit further includes a diode that is inelectrical series with, at least, the damping transistor and isconfigured for preventing power efficiency loss in the wireless powersignal when the damping circuit is not active.

In a refinement, the wireless power transmission system further includesa filter circuit including, at least, a filter capacitor and a filterinductor, wherein the filter circuit is configured based on a filterquality factor.

In a further refinement, the filter quality factor (γ_(FILTER)) isdefined as

$\gamma_{{FILTE}R} = {\frac{1}{R_{o}}{\sqrt{\frac{L_{o}}{C_{o}}}.}}$

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a wireless powertransfer system is disclosed. The wireless power transfer systemincludes a wireless power transmission system and a wireless powerreceiver system. The wireless power transmission system includes atransmitter antenna, a transmitter controller, and an amplifier. Thetransmitter antenna is configured to couple with at least one otherantenna and transmit alternating current (AC) wireless signals to the atleast one antenna, the AC wireless signals including wireless powersignals and wireless data signals. The transmitter controller isconfigured to (i) provide a driving signal for driving the transmitterantenna based on an operating frequency for the wireless power transfersystem and (ii) perform one or more of encoding the wireless datasignals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless datasignals, or transmitting the wireless data signals. The amplifierincludes at least one transistor that is configured to receive thedriving signal at a gate of the at least one transistor and invert adirect power (DC) input power signal to generate the AC wireless signalat the operating frequency. The wireless receiver system includes areceiver antenna, a power conditioning system, and a receivercontroller. The receiver antenna is configured for coupling with thetransmitter antenna and receiving the AC wireless signals from thetransmitter antenna, the receiver antenna operating based on theoperating frequency. The power conditioning system is configured to (i)receive the wireless power signals, (ii) convert the wireless powersignal from an AC wireless power signal to a DC wireless power signal,and (iii) provide the DC power signal to, at least, a load associatedwith the wireless power receiver system. The receiver controller isconfigured to perform one or more of encoding the wireless data signals,decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless data signals,or transmitting the wireless data signals. The voltage isolation circuitincludes at least two capacitors, wherein the at least two capacitorsare in electrical parallel with respect to the controller capacitor. Thevoltage isolation circuit is configured to (i) regulate the AC wirelesspower signal to have a voltage input range for input to the receivercontroller and (ii) isolate a controller voltage at the receivercontroller from a load voltage at the load associated with the wirelessreceiver system.

In a refinement, the wireless power receiver further includes acapacitor configured for scaling the AC wireless power signal at thecontroller voltage, as altered and received from the voltage isolationcircuit.

In a refinement, the wireless power receiver further includes a shuntcapacitor in electrical parallel with the receiver antenna.

In a refinement, a first capacitance (CISO1) of a first capacitor of theat least two capacitors and a second capacitance (CISO2) of a secondcapacitor of the at least two capacitors are configured such that:

CISO1∥CISO2=CTOTAL

wherein CTOTAL is a total capacitance for the voltage isolation circuit,and wherein CTOTAL is a constant configured for the voltage input rangefor input to the controller.

In a further refinement, the values for the first capacitance and thesecond capacitance are set such that:

${C_{{ISO}\; 1} = \frac{C_{TOTAL}*\left( {1 + t_{v}} \right)}{t_{v}}},{C_{{ISO}\; 2} = {C_{TOTAL}*{\left( {1 + t_{v}} \right).}}}$

In a yet a further refinement, t_(v) is in a scaling factor in a rangeof about 3 to about 10.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, a Near-FieldCommunications Direct Charge (NFC-DC) system is disclosed. The NFC-DCsystem includes a poller and a listener. The listener includes atransmitter antenna, a transmitter controller, and an amplifier. Thetransmitter antenna is configured to couple with at least one otherantenna and transmit alternating current (AC) wireless signals to the atleast one antenna, the AC wireless signals including wireless powersignals and wireless data signals. The transmitter controller isconfigured to (i) provide a driving signal for driving the transmitterantenna based on an operating frequency for the wireless power transfersystem and (ii) perform one or more of encoding the wireless datasignals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless datasignals, or transmitting the wireless data signals. The amplifierincludes at least one transistor that is configured to receive thedriving signal at a gate of the at least one transistor and invert adirect power (DC) input power signal to generate the AC wireless signalat the operating frequency. The poller includes a receiver antenna, apower conditioning system, and a receiver controller. The receiverantenna is configured for coupling with the transmitter antenna andreceiving the AC wireless signals from the transmitter antenna, thereceiver antenna operating based on the operating frequency. The powerconditioning system is configured to (i) receive the wireless powersignals, (ii) convert the wireless power signal from an AC wirelesspower signal to a DC wireless power signal, and (iii) provide the DCpower signal to, at least, a load associated with the wireless powerreceiver system. The receiver controller is configured to perform one ormore of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless datasignals, receiving the wireless data signals, or transmitting thewireless data signals.

In a refinement, the operating frequency is in a range of about 13.553MHz to about 13.567 MHz.

In a refinement, an output power of the wireless power signals are at apower greater than about 1 Watt.

In a refinement, the listener further includes a damping circuitconfigured for damping the wireless signal during transmission of thewireless data signals, the damping circuit including, at least, adamping transistor configured for receiving a damping signal from thecontroller, the damping signal configured for switching the transistorto control damping during transmission of the wireless data signals.

In a refinement, the listener further includes a filter circuitincluding, at least, a filter capacitor and a filter inductor, thefilter circuit configured for optimization based on a filter qualityfactor, wherein the filter quality factor (γ_(FILTER)) is defined as

$\gamma_{{FILTE}R} = {\frac{1}{R_{o}}{\sqrt{\frac{L_{o}}{C_{o}}}.}}$

In a refinement, the poller further includes a voltage isolation circuitincluding at least two capacitors, the at least two capacitors inelectrical series, with input to the receiver controller therebetween,and configured to regulate the AC wireless power signal to have avoltage input range for input to the controller, the voltage isolationcircuit configured to isolate a controller voltage at the controllerfrom a load voltage at a load associated with the poller.

In a further refinement, a first capacitance (CISO1) of a firstcapacitor of the at least two capacitors of the voltage isolationcircuit and a second capacitance (CISO2) of a second capacitor of the atleast two capacitors of the voltage isolation circuit are configuredsuch that:

CISO1∥CISO2=CTOTAL

wherein CTOTAL is a total capacitance for the voltage isolation circuit,and wherein CTOTAL is a constant configured for the voltage input rangefor input to the controller.

These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for wirelesslytransferring one or more of electrical energy, electrical power signals,electrical power, electromagnetic energy, electronic data, andcombinations thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a wirelesstransmission system of the system of FIG. 1 and a wireless receiversystem of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with FIG. 1 and thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating components of a transmissioncontrol system of the wireless transmission system of FIG. 2, inaccordance with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating components of a sensing system ofthe transmission control system of FIG. 3, in accordance with FIGS. 1-3and the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating components of a powerconditioning system of the wireless transmission system of FIG. 2, inaccordance with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of elements of the wireless transmissionsystem of FIGS. 1-5, further illustrating components of an amplifier ofthe power conditioning system of FIG. 5 and signal characteristics forwireless power transmission, in accordance with FIGS. 1-5 and thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of elements of the wirelesstransmission system of FIGS. 1-6, further illustrating components of anamplifier of the power conditioning system of FIGS. 5-6, in accordancewith FIGS. 1-6 and the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary plot illustrating rise and fall of “on” and “off”conditions when a signal has in-band communications via on-off keying.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating components of a receiver controlsystem and a receiver power conditioning system of the wireless receiversystem of FIG. 2, in accordance with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of elements of the wireless receiver systemof FIGS. 1-2 and 9, further illustrating components of an amplifier ofthe power conditioning system of FIG. 9 and signal characteristics forwireless power transmission, in accordance with FIGS. 1-2, 9, and thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic diagram of elements of the wirelessreceiver system of FIGS. 1-2 and 9-10, further illustrating componentsof an amplifier of the power conditioning system of FIGS. 9-10, inaccordance with FIGS. 1-2, 9-10 and the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a non-limiting, exemplary antenna, for use asone or both of a transmission antenna and a receiver antenna of thesystem of FIGS. 1-7, 9-11 and/or any other systems, methods, orapparatus disclosed herein, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 13A is an isometric view of exemplary eyewear, within which thewireless power transfer systems disclosed herein may be implemented forwireless power transmission to the eyewear, in accordance with FIGS.1-7, 9-12, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 13B is an isometric view of the exemplary eyewear of FIG. 13A andan associated case for the eyewear, within which the wireless powertransfer systems disclosed herein may be implemented for wireless powertransmission to the eyewear, in accordance with FIGS. 1-7, 9-12, 13A,and the present disclosure.

FIG. 14A is an isometric view of an exemplary stylus and an associatedstylus charger, within which the wireless power transfer systemsdisclosed herein may be implemented for wireless power transmission fromthe charger to the stylus, in accordance with FIGS. 1-7, 9-12, and thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14B is an isometric view of another exemplary stylus and anassociated stylus charging surface, within which the wireless powertransfer systems disclosed herein may be implemented for wireless powertransmission from the charger to the stylus, in accordance with FIGS.1-7, 9-12, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 15A is an isometric view of a wearable device and an associatedcharger for the wearable device, within which the wireless powertransfer systems disclosed herein may be implemented for wireless powertransmission from the charger to the wearable device, in accordance withFIGS. 1-7, 9-12, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the wearable device and charger of FIG. 15,in accordance with FIGS. 1-7, 9-12, 15A, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 16A is a side view, with cross-sectional denotations, of exemplaryearbuds and an associated charging case, within which the wireless powertransfer systems disclosed herein may be implemented for wireless powertransmission from the charging case to the earbuds, in accordance withFIGS. 1-7, 9-12, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 16B is a side view of alternative exemplary earbuds and anassociated charging surface, within which the wireless power transfersystems disclosed may be implemented for wireless power transmissionfrom the charging surface to the earbuds, in accordance with FIGS. 1-7,9-12, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary method for designing a system for wirelesstransmission of one or more of electrical energy, electrical powersignals, electrical power, electrical electromagnetic energy, electronicdata, and combinations thereof, in accordance with FIGS. 1-7, 9-16, andthe present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart for an exemplary method for designing a wirelesstransmission system for the system of FIG. 17, in accordance with FIGS.1-7, 9-17, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart for an exemplary method for designing a wirelessreceiver system for the system of FIG. 17, in accordance with FIGS. 1-7,9-18 and the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for an exemplary method for manufacturing asystem for wireless transmission of one or more of electrical energy,electrical power signals, electrical power, electrical electromagneticenergy, electronic data, and combinations thereof, in accordance withFIGS. 1-7, 9-16 and the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart for an exemplary method for manufacturing awireless transmission system for the system of FIG. 20, in accordancewith FIGS. 1-7, 9-16, 20, and the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart for an exemplary method for designing a wirelessreceiver system for the system of FIG. 20, in accordance with FIGS. 1-7,9-16, 20-21 and the present disclosure.

While the following detailed description will be given with respect tocertain illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that thedrawings are not necessarily to scale and the disclosed embodiments aresometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. Inaddition, in certain instances, details which are not necessary for anunderstanding of the disclosed subject matter or which render otherdetails too difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It shouldtherefore be understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein, but rather to afair reading of the entire disclosure and claims, as well as anyequivalents thereto. Additional, different, or fewer components andmethods may be included in the systems and methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth byway of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of therelevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the present teachings may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components,and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, withoutdetail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the presentteachings.

Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to FIG. 1, awireless power transfer system 10 is illustrated. The wireless powertransfer system 10 provides for the wireless transmission of electricalsignals, such as, but not limited to, electrical energy, electricalpower, electrical power signals, electromagnetic energy, andelectronically transmittable data (“electronic data”). As used herein,the term “electrical power signal” refers to an electrical signaltransmitted specifically to provide meaningful electrical energy forcharging and/or directly powering a load, whereas the term “electronicdata signal” refers to an electrical signal that is utilized to conveydata across a medium.

The wireless power transfer system 10 provides for the wirelesstransmission of electrical signals via near field magnetic coupling. Asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the wireless power transfer system 10includes a wireless transmission system 20 and a wireless receiversystem 30. The wireless receiver system is configured to receiveelectrical signals from, at least, the wireless transmission system 20.In some examples, such as examples wherein the wireless power transfersystem is configured for wireless power transfer via the Near FieldCommunications Direct Charge (NFC-DC) or Near Field CommunicationsWireless Charging (NFC WC) draft or accepted standard, the wirelesstransmission system 20 may be referenced as a “listener” of the NFC-DCwireless transfer system 20 and the wireless receiver system 30 may bereferenced as a “poller” of the NFC-DC wireless transfer system.

As illustrated, the wireless transmission system 20 and wirelessreceiver system 30 may be configured to transmit electrical signalsacross, at least, a separation distance or gap 17. A separation distanceor gap, such as the gap 17, in the context of a wireless power transfersystem, such as the system 10, does not include a physical connection,such as a wired connection. There may be intermediary objects located ina separation distance or gap, such as, but not limited to, air, acounter top, a casing for an electronic device, a plastic filament, aninsulator, a mechanical wall, among other things; however, there is nophysical, electrical connection at such a separation distance or gap.

Thus, the combination of the wireless transmission system 20 and thewireless receiver system 30 create an electrical connection without theneed for a physical connection. As used herein, the term “electricalconnection” refers to any facilitation of a transfer of an electricalcurrent, voltage, and/or power from a first location, device, component,and/or source to a second location, device, component, and/ordestination. An “electrical connection” may be a physical connection,such as, but not limited to, a wire, a trace, a via, among otherphysical electrical connections, connecting a first location, device,component, and/or source to a second location, device, component, and/ordestination. Additionally or alternatively, an “electrical connection”may be a wireless power and/or data transfer, such as, but not limitedto, magnetic, electromagnetic, resonant, and/or inductive field, amongother wireless power and/or data transfers, connecting a first location,device, component, and/or source to a second location, device,component, and/or destination.

In some cases, the gap 17 may also be referenced as a “Z-Distance,”because, if one considers an antenna 21, 31 each to be disposedsubstantially along respective common X-Y planes, then the distanceseparating the antennas 21, 31 is the gap in a “Z” or “depth” direction.However, flexible and/or non-planar coils are certainly contemplated byembodiments of the present disclosure and, thus, it is contemplated thatthe gap 17 may not be uniform, across an envelope of connectiondistances between the antennas 21, 31. It is contemplated that varioustunings, configurations, and/or other parameters may alter the possiblemaximum distance of the gap 17, such that electrical transmission fromthe wireless transmission system 20 to the wireless receiver system 30remains possible.

The wireless power transfer system 10 operates when the wirelesstransmission system 20 and the wireless receiver system 30 are coupled.As used herein, the terms “couples,” “coupled,” and “coupling” generallyrefer to magnetic field coupling, which occurs when a transmitter and/orany components thereof and a receiver and/or any components thereof arecoupled to each other through a magnetic field. Such coupling mayinclude coupling, represented by a coupling coefficient (k), that is atleast sufficient for an induced electrical power signal, from atransmitter, to be harnessed by a receiver. Coupling of the wirelesstransmission system 20 and the wireless receiver system 30, in thesystem 10, may be represented by a resonant coupling coefficient of thesystem 10 and, for the purposes of wireless power transfer, the couplingcoefficient for the system 10 may be in the range of about 0.01 and 0.9.

As illustrated, the wireless transmission system 20 may be associatedwith a host device 11, which may receive power from an input powersource 12. The host device 11 may be any electrically operated device,circuit board, electronic assembly, dedicated charging device, or anyother contemplated electronic device. Example host devices 11, withwhich the wireless transmission system 20 may be associated therewith,include, but are not limited to including, a device that includes anintegrated circuit, cases for wearable electronic devices, receptaclesfor electronic devices, a portable computing device, clothing configuredwith electronics, storage medium for electronic devices, chargingapparatus for one or multiple electronic devices, dedicated electricalcharging devices, activity or sport related equipment, goods, and/ordata collection devices, among other contemplated electronic devices.

As illustrated, one or both of the wireless transmission system 20 andthe host device 11 are operatively associated with an input power source12. The input power source 12 may be or may include one or moreelectrical storage devices, such as an electrochemical cell, a batterypack, and/or a capacitor, among other storage devices. Additionally oralternatively, the input power source 12 may be any electrical inputsource (e.g., any alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC)delivery port) and may include connection apparatus from said electricalinput source to the wireless transmission system 20 (e.g., transformers,regulators, conductive conduits, traces, wires, or equipment, goods,computer, camera, mobile phone, and/or other electrical deviceconnection ports and/or adaptors, such as but not limited to USB portsand/or adaptors, among other contemplated electrical components).

Electrical energy received by the wireless transmission system 20 isthen used for at least two purposes: to provide electrical power tointernal components of the wireless transmission system 20 and toprovide electrical power to the transmitter antenna 21. The transmitterantenna 21 is configured to wirelessly transmit the electrical signalsconditioned and modified for wireless transmission by the wirelesstransmission system 20 via near-field magnetic coupling (NFMC).Near-field magnetic coupling enables the transfer of signals wirelesslythrough magnetic induction between the transmitter antenna 21 and areceiving antenna 31 of, or associated with, the wireless receiversystem 30. Near-field magnetic coupling may be and/or be referred to as“inductive coupling,” which, as used herein, is a wireless powertransmission technique that utilizes an alternating electromagneticfield to transfer electrical energy between two antennas. Such inductivecoupling is the near field wireless transmission of magnetic energybetween two magnetically coupled coils that are tuned to resonate at asimilar frequency. Accordingly, such near-field magnetic coupling mayenable efficient wireless power transmission via resonant transmissionof confined magnetic fields. Further, such near-field magnetic couplingmay provide connection via “mutual inductance,” which, as defined hereinis the production of an electromotive force in a circuit by a change incurrent in a second circuit magnetically coupled to the first.

In one or more embodiments, the inductor coils of either the transmitterantenna 21 or the receiver antenna 31 are strategically positioned tofacilitate reception and/or transmission of wirelessly transferredelectrical signals through near field magnetic induction. Antennaoperating frequencies may comprise relatively high operating frequencyranges, examples of which may include, but are not limited to, 6.78 MHz(e.g., in accordance with the Rezence and/or Airfuel interface standardand/or any other proprietary interface standard operating at a frequencyof 6.78 MHz), 13.56 MHz (e.g., in accordance with the NFC standard,defined by ISO/IEC standard 18092), 27 MHz, and/or an operatingfrequency of another proprietary operating mode. The operatingfrequencies of the antennas 21, 31 may be operating frequenciesdesignated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in theIndustrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency bands, including notlimited to 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz, and 27 MHz, which are designated for usein wireless power transfer. In systems wherein the wireless powertransfer system 10 is operating within the NFC-DC standards and/or draftstandards, the operating frequency may be in a range of about 13.553 MHzto about 13.567 MHz.

The transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna of the presentdisclosure may be configured to transmit and/or receive electrical powerhaving a magnitude that ranges from about 10 milliwatts (mW) to about500 watts (W). In one or more embodiments the inductor coil of thetransmitting antenna 21 is configured to resonate at a transmittingantenna resonant frequency or within a transmitting antenna resonantfrequency band.

As known to those skilled in the art, a “resonant frequency” or“resonant frequency band” refers a frequency or frequencies whereinamplitude response of the antenna is at a relative maximum, or,additionally or alternatively, the frequency or frequency band where thecapacitive reactance has a magnitude substantially similar to themagnitude of the inductive reactance. In one or more embodiments, thetransmitting antenna resonant frequency is at a high frequency, as knownto those in the art of wireless power transfer.

The wireless receiver system 30 may be associated with at least oneelectronic device 14, wherein the electronic device 14 may be any devicethat requires electrical power for any function and/or for power storage(e.g., via a battery and/or capacitor). Additionally, the electronicdevice 14 may be any device capable of receipt of electronicallytransmissible data. For example, the device may be, but is not limitedto being, a handheld computing device, a mobile device, a portableappliance, an integrated circuit, an identifiable tag, a kitchen utilitydevice, an electronic tool, an electric vehicle, a game console, arobotic device, a wearable electronic device (e.g., an electronic watch,electronically modified glasses, altered-reality (AR) glasses, virtualreality (VR) glasses, among other things), a portable scanning device, aportable identifying device, a sporting good, an embedded sensor, anInternet of Things (IoT) sensor, IoT enabled clothing, IoT enabledrecreational equipment, industrial equipment, medical equipment, amedical device a tablet computing device, a portable control device, aremote controller for an electronic device, a gaming controller, amongother things.

For the purposes of illustrating the features and characteristics of thedisclosed embodiments, arrow-ended lines are utilized to illustratetransferrable and/or communicative signals and various patterns are usedto illustrate electrical signals that are intended for powertransmission and electrical signals that are intended for thetransmission of data and/or control instructions. Solid lines indicatesignal transmission of electrical energy over a physical and/or wirelesspower transfer, in the form of power signals that are, ultimately,utilized in wireless power transmission from the wireless transmissionsystem 20 to the wireless receiver system 30. Further, dotted lines areutilized to illustrate electronically transmittable data signals, whichultimately may be wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmissionsystem 20 to the wireless receiver system 30.

While the systems and methods herein illustrate the transmission ofwirelessly transmitted energy, wireless power signals, wirelesslytransmitted power, wirelessly transmitted electromagnetic energy, and/orelectronically transmittable data, it is certainly contemplated that thesystems, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein may be utilized in thetransmission of only one signal, various combinations of two signals, ormore than two signals and, further, it is contemplated that the systems,method, and apparatus disclosed herein may be utilized for wirelesstransmission of other electrical signals in addition to or uniquely incombination with one or more of the above mentioned signals. In someexamples, the signal paths of solid or dotted lines may represent afunctional signal path, whereas, in practical application, the actualsignal is routed through additional components en route to its indicateddestination. For example, it may be indicated that a data signal routesfrom a communications apparatus to another communications apparatus;however, in practical application, the data signal may be routed throughan amplifier, then through a transmission antenna, to a receiverantenna, where, on the receiver end, the data signal is decoded by arespective communications device of the receiver.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the wireless connection system 10 is illustratedas a block diagram including example sub-systems of both the wirelesstransmission system 20 and the wireless receiver system 30. The wirelesstransmission system 20 may include, at least, a power conditioningsystem 40, a transmission control system 26, a transmission tuningsystem 24, and the transmission antenna 21. A first portion of theelectrical energy input from the input power source 12 is configured toelectrically power components of the wireless transmission system 20such as, but not limited to, the transmission control system 26. Asecond portion of the electrical energy input from the input powersource 12 is conditioned and/or modified for wireless powertransmission, to the wireless receiver system 30, via the transmissionantenna 21. Accordingly, the second portion of the input energy ismodified and/or conditioned by the power conditioning system 40. Whilenot illustrated, it is certainly contemplated that one or both of thefirst and second portions of the input electrical energy may bemodified, conditioned, altered, and/or otherwise changed prior toreceipt by the power conditioning system 40 and/or transmission controlsystem 26, by further contemplated subsystems (e.g., a voltageregulator, a current regulator, switching systems, fault systems, safetyregulators, among other things).

Referring now to FIG. 3, with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,subcomponents and/or systems of the transmission control system 26 areillustrated. The transmission control system 26 may include a sensingsystem 50, a transmission controller 28, a communications system 29, adriver 48, and a memory 27.

The transmission controller 28 may be any electronic controller orcomputing system that includes, at least, a processor which performsoperations, executes control algorithms, stores data, retrieves data,gathers data, controls and/or provides communication with othercomponents and/or subsystems associated with the wireless transmissionsystem 20, and/or performs any other computing or controlling taskdesired. The transmission controller 28 may be a single controller ormay include more than one controller disposed to control variousfunctions and/or features of the wireless transmission system 20.Functionality of the transmission controller 28 may be implemented inhardware and/or software and may rely on one or more data maps relatingto the operation of the wireless transmission system 20. To that end,the transmission controller 28 may be operatively associated with thememory 27. The memory may include one or more of internal memory,external memory, and/or remote memory (e.g., a database and/or serveroperatively connected to the transmission controller 28 via a network,such as, but not limited to, the Internet). The internal memory and/orexternal memory may include, but are not limited to including, one ormore of a read only memory (ROM), including programmable read-onlymemory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM orsometimes but rarely labelled EROM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), including dynamicRAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), singledata rate synchronous dynamic RAM (SDR SDRAM), double data ratesynchronous dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4), and graphicsdouble data rate synchronous dynamic RAM (GDDR SDRAM, GDDR2, GDDR3,GDDR4, GDDR5, a flash memory, a portable memory, and the like. Suchmemory media are examples of nontransitory machine readable and/orcomputer readable memory media.

While particular elements of the transmission control system 26 areillustrated as independent components and/or circuits (e.g., the driver48, the memory 27, the communications system 29, the sensing system 50,among other contemplated elements) of the transmission control system26, such components may be integrated with the transmission controller28. In some examples, the transmission controller 28 may be anintegrated circuit configured to include functional elements of one orboth of the transmission controller 28 and the wireless transmissionsystem 20, generally.

As illustrated, the transmission controller 28 is in operativeassociation, for the purposes of data transmission, receipt, and/orcommunication, with, at least, the memory 27, the communications system29, the power conditioning system 40, the driver 48, and the sensingsystem 50. The driver 48 may be implemented to control, at least inpart, the operation of the power conditioning system 40. In someexamples, the driver 48 may receive instructions from the transmissioncontroller 28 to generate and/or output a generated pulse widthmodulation (PWM) signal to the power conditioning system 40. In somesuch examples, the PWM signal may be configured to drive the powerconditioning system 40 to output electrical power as an alternatingcurrent signal, having an operating frequency defined by the PWM signal.In some examples, PWM signal may be configured to generate a duty cyclefor the AC power signal output by the power conditioning system 40. Insome such examples, the duty cycle may be configured to be about 50% ofa given period of the AC power signal.

The sensing system may include one or more sensors, wherein each sensormay be operatively associated with one or more components of thewireless transmission system 20 and configured to provide informationand/or data. The term “sensor” is used in its broadest interpretation todefine one or more components operatively associated with the wirelesstransmission system 20 that operate to sense functions, conditions,electrical characteristics, operations, and/or operating characteristicsof one or more of the wireless transmission system 20, the wirelessreceiving system 30, the input power source 12, the host device 11, thetransmission antenna 21, the receiver antenna 31, along with any othercomponents and/or subcomponents thereof.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the sensing system 50 mayinclude, but is not limited to including, a thermal sensing system 52,an object sensing system 54, a receiver sensing system 56, and/or anyother sensor(s) 58. Within these systems, there may exist even morespecific optional additional or alternative sensing systems addressingparticular sensing aspects required by an application, such as, but notlimited to: a condition-based maintenance sensing system, a performanceoptimization sensing system, a state-of-charge sensing system, atemperature management sensing system, a component heating sensingsystem, an IoT sensing system, an energy and/or power management sensingsystem, an impact detection sensing system, an electrical status sensingsystem, a speed detection sensing system, a device health sensingsystem, among others. The object sensing system 54, may be a foreignobject detection (FOD) system.

Each of the thermal sensing system 52, the object sensing system 54, thereceiver sensing system 56 and/or the other sensor(s) 58, including theoptional additional or alternative systems, are operatively and/orcommunicatively connected to the transmission controller 28. The thermalsensing system 52 is configured to monitor ambient and/or componenttemperatures within the wireless transmission system 20 or otherelements nearby the wireless transmission system 20. The thermal sensingsystem 52 may be configured to detect a temperature within the wirelesstransmission system 20 and, if the detected temperature exceeds athreshold temperature, the transmission controller 28 prevents thewireless transmission system 20 from operating. Such a thresholdtemperature may be configured for safety considerations, operationalconsiderations, efficiency considerations, and/or any combinationsthereof. In a non-limiting example, if, via input from the thermalsensing system 52, the transmission controller 28 determines that thetemperature within the wireless transmission system 20 has increasedfrom an acceptable operating temperature to an undesired operatingtemperature (e.g., in a non-limiting example, the internal temperatureincreasing from about 20° Celsius (C) to about 50° C., the transmissioncontroller 28 prevents the operation of the wireless transmission system20 and/or reduces levels of power output from the wireless transmissionsystem 20. In some non-limiting examples, the thermal sensing system 52may include one or more of a thermocouple, a thermistor, a negativetemperature coefficient (NTC) resistor, a resistance temperaturedetector (RTD), and/or any combinations thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the transmission sensing system 50 may includethe object sensing system 54. The object sensing system 54 may beconfigured to detect one or more of the wireless receiver system 30and/or the receiver antenna 31, thus indicating to the transmissioncontroller 28 that the receiver system 30 is proximate to the wirelesstransmission system 20. Additionally or alternatively, the objectsensing system 54 may be configured to detect presence of unwantedobjects in contact with or proximate to the wireless transmission system20. In some examples, the object sensing system 54 is configured todetect the presence of an undesired object. In some such examples, ifthe transmission controller 28, via information provided by the objectsensing system 54, detects the presence of an undesired object, then thetransmission controller 28 prevents or otherwise modifies operation ofthe wireless transmission system 20. In some examples, the objectsensing system 54 utilizes an impedance change detection scheme, inwhich the transmission controller 28 analyzes a change in electricalimpedance observed by the transmission antenna 20 against a known,acceptable electrical impedance value or range of electrical impedancevalues.

Additionally or alternatively, the object sensing system 54 may utilizea quality factor (Q) change detection scheme, in which the transmissioncontroller 28 analyzes a change from a known quality factor value orrange of quality factor values of the object being detected, such as thereceiver antenna 31. The “quality factor” or “Q” of an inductor can bedefined as (frequency (Hz)×inductance (H))/resistance (ohms), wherefrequency is the operational frequency of the circuit, inductance is theinductance output of the inductor and resistance is the combination ofthe radiative and reactive resistances that are internal to theinductor. “Quality factor,” as defined herein, is generally accepted asan index (figure of measure) that measures the efficiency of anapparatus like an antenna, a circuit, or a resonator. In some examples,the object sensing system 54 may include one or more of an opticalsensor, an electro-optical sensor, a Hall effect sensor, a proximitysensor, and/or any combinations thereof.

The receiver sensing system 56 is any sensor, circuit, and/orcombinations thereof configured to detect presence of any wirelessreceiving system that may be couplable with the wireless transmissionsystem 20. In some examples, the receiver sensing system 56 and theobject sensing system 54 may be combined, may share components, and/ormay be embodied by one or more common components. In some examples, ifthe presence of any such wireless receiving system is detected, wirelesstransmission of electrical energy, electrical power, electromagneticenergy, and/or data by the wireless transmission system 20 to saidwireless receiving system is enabled. In some examples, if the presenceof a wireless receiver system is not detected, continued wirelesstransmission of electrical energy, electrical power, electromagneticenergy, and/or data is prevented from occurring. Accordingly, thereceiver sensing system 56 may include one or more sensors and/or may beoperatively associated with one or more sensors that are configured toanalyze electrical characteristics within an environment of or proximateto the wireless transmission system 20 and, based on the electricalcharacteristics, determine presence of a wireless receiver system 30.

Referring now to FIG. 5, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, ablock diagram illustrating an embodiment of the power conditioningsystem 40 is illustrated. At the power conditioning system 40,electrical power is received, generally, as a DC power source, via theinput power source 12 itself or an intervening power converter,converting an AC source to a DC source (not shown). A voltage regulator46 receives the electrical power from the input power source 12 and isconfigured to provide electrical power for transmission by the antenna21 and provide electrical power for powering components of the wirelesstransmission system 21. Accordingly, the voltage regulator 46 isconfigured to convert the received electrical power into at least twoelectrical power signals, each at a proper voltage for operation of therespective downstream components: a first electrical power signal toelectrically power any components of the wireless transmission system 20and a second portion conditioned and modified for wireless transmissionto the wireless receiver system 30. As illustrated in FIG. 3, such afirst portion is transmitted to, at least, the sensing system 50, thetransmission controller 28, and the communications system 29; however,the first portion is not limited to transmission to just thesecomponents and can be transmitted to any electrical components of thewireless transmission system 20.

The second portion of the electrical power is provided to an amplifier42 of the power conditioning system 40, which is configured to conditionthe electrical power for wireless transmission by the antenna 21. Theamplifier may function as an invertor, which receives an input DC powersignal from the voltage regulator 46 and generates an AC as output,based, at least in part, on PWM input from the transmission controlsystem 26. The amplifier 42 may be or include, for example, a powerstage invertor, such as a dual field effect transistor power stageinvertor or a quadruple field effect transistor power stage invertor.The use of the amplifier 42 within the power conditioning system 40 and,in turn, the wireless transmission system 20 enables wirelesstransmission of electrical signals having much greater amplitudes thanif transmitted without such an amplifier. For example, the addition ofthe amplifier 42 may enable the wireless transmission system 20 totransmit electrical energy as an electrical power signal havingelectrical power from about 10 mW to about 500 W. In some examples, theamplifier 42 may be or may include one or more class-E power amplifiers.Class-E power amplifiers are efficiently tuned switching poweramplifiers designed for use at high frequencies (e.g., frequencies fromabout 1 MHz to about 1 GHz). Generally, a class-E amplifier employs asingle-pole switching element and a tuned reactive network between theswitch and an output load (e.g., the antenna 21). Class E amplifiers mayachieve high efficiency at high frequencies by only operating theswitching element at points of zero current (e.g., on-to-off switching)or zero voltage (off to on switching). Such switching characteristicsmay minimize power lost in the switch, even when the switching time ofthe device is long compared to the frequency of operation. However, theamplifier 42 is certainly not limited to being a class-E power amplifierand may be or may include one or more of a class D amplifier, a class EFamplifier, an H invertor amplifier, and/or a push-pull invertor, amongother amplifiers that could be included as part of the amplifier 42.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the wireless transmission system 20 isillustrated, further detailing elements of the power conditioning system40, the amplifier 42, the tuning system 24, among other things. Theblock diagram of the wireless transmission system 20 illustrates one ormore electrical signals and the conditioning of such signals, alteringof such signals, transforming of such signals, inverting of suchsignals, amplification of such signals, and combinations thereof. InFIG. 6, DC power signals are illustrated with heavily bolded lines, suchthat the lines are significantly thicker than other solid lines in FIG.6 and other figures of the instant application, AC signals areillustrated as substantially sinusoidal wave forms with a thicknesssignificantly less bolded than that of the DC power signal bolding, anddata signals are represented as dotted lines. It is to be noted that theAC signals are not necessarily substantially sinusoidal waves and may beany AC waveform suitable for the purposes described below (e.g., a halfsine wave, a square wave, a half square wave, among other waveforms).FIG. 7 illustrates sample electrical components for elements of thewireless transmission system, and subcomponents thereof, in a simplifiedform. Note that FIG. 7 may represent one branch or sub-section of aschematic for the wireless transmission system 20 and/or components ofthe wireless transmission system 20 may be omitted from the schematicillustrated in FIG. 7 for clarity.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 and discussed above, the input power source 11provides an input direct current voltage (V_(DC)), which may have itsvoltage level altered by the voltage regulator 46, prior to conditioningat the amplifier 42. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 7, theamplifier 42 may include a choke inductor L_(CHOKE), which may beutilized to block radio frequency interference in V_(DC), while allowingthe DC power signal of V_(DC) to continue towards an amplifiertransistor 48 of the amplifier 42. V_(CHOKE) may be configured as anysuitable choke inductor known in the art.

The amplifier 48 is configured to alter and/or invert V_(DC) to generatean AC wireless signal V_(AC), which, as discussed in more detail below,may be configured to carry one or both of an inbound and outbound datasignal (denoted as “Data” in FIG. 6). The amplifier transistor 48 may beany switching transistor known in the art that is capable of inverting,converting, and/or conditioning a DC power signal into an AC powersignal, such as, but not limited to, a field-effect transistor (FET),gallium nitride (GaN) FETS, bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and/orwide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor transistor, among other known switchingtransistors. The amplifier transistor 48 is configured to receive adriving signal (denoted as “PWM” in FIG. 6) from at a gate of theamplifier transistor 48 (denoted as “G” in FIG. 6) and invert the DCsignal V_(DC) to generate the AC wireless signal at an operatingfrequency and/or an operating frequency band for the wireless powertransmission system 20. The driving signal may be a PWM signalconfigured for such inversion at the operating frequency and/oroperating frequency band for the wireless power transmission system 20.

The driving signal is generated and output by the transmission controlsystem 26 and/or the transmission controller 28 therein, as discussedand disclosed above. The transmission controller 26, 28 is configured toprovide the driving signal and configured to perform one or more ofencoding wireless data signals (denoted as “Data” in FIG. 6), decodingthe wireless data signals (denoted as “Data” in FIG. 6) and anycombinations thereof. In some examples, the electrical data signals maybe in band signals of the AC wireless power signal. In some suchexamples, such in-band signals may be on-off-keying (OOK) signalsin-band of the AC wireless power signals. For example, Type-Acommunications, as described in the NFC Standards, are a form of OOK,wherein the data signal is on-off-keyed in a carrier AC wireless powersignal operating at an operating frequency in a range of about 13.553MHz to about 13.567 MHz.

However, when the power, current, impedance, phase, and/or voltagelevels of an AC power signal are changed beyond the levels used incurrent and/or legacy hardware for high frequency wireless powertransfer (over about 500 mW transmitted), such legacy hardware may notbe able to properly encode and/or decode in-band data signals with therequired fidelity for communications functions. Such higher power in anAC output power signal may cause signal degradation due to increasingrise times for an OOK rise, increasing fall time for an OOK fall,overshooting the required voltage in an OOK rise, and/or undershootingthe voltage in an OOK fall, among other potential degradations to thesignal due to legacy hardware being ill equipped for higher power, highfrequency wireless power transfer. Thus, there is a need for theamplifier 42 to be designed in a way that limits and/or substantiallyremoves rise and fall times, overshoots, undershoots, and/or othersignal deficiencies from an in-band data signal during wireless powertransfer. This ability to limit and/or substantially remove suchdeficiencies allows for the systems of the instant application toprovide higher power wireless power transfer in high frequency wirelesspower transmission systems.

For further exemplary illustration, FIG. 8 illustrates a plot for a falland rise of an OOK in-band signal. The fall time (t₁) is shown as thetime between when the signal is at 90% voltage (V₄) of the intended fullvoltage (V₁) and falls to about 5% voltage (V₂) of V₁. The rise time(t₃) is shown as the time between when the signal ends being at V₂ andrises to about V₄. Such rise and fall times may be read by a receivingantenna of the signal, and an applicable data communications protocolmay include limits on rise and fall times, such that data isnon-compliant and/or illegible by a receiver if rise and/or fall timesexceed certain bounds.

Returning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, to achieve limitation and/or substantialremoval of the mentioned deficiencies, the amplifier 42 includes adamping circuit 60. The damping circuit 60 is configured for damping theAC wireless signal during transmission of the AC wireless signal andassociated data signals. The damping circuit 60 may be configured toreduce rise and fall times during OOK signal transmission, such that therate of the data signals may not only be compliant and/or legible, butmay also achieve faster data rates and/or enhanced data ranges, whencompared to legacy systems. For damping the AC wireless power signal,the damping circuit includes, at least, a damping transistor 63, whichis configured for receiving a damping signal (V_(damp)) from thetransmission controller 62. The damping signal is configured forswitching the damping transistor (on/off) to control damping of the ACwireless signal during the transmission and/or receipt of wireless datasignals. Such transmission of the AC wireless signals may be performedby the transmission controller 28 and/or such transmission may be viatransmission from the wireless receiver system 30, within the coupledmagnetic field between the antennas 21, 31.

In examples wherein the data signals are conveyed via OOK, the dampingsignal may be substantially opposite and/or an inverse to the state ofthe data signals. This means that if the OOK data signals are in an “on”state, the damping signals instruct the damping transistor to turn “off”and thus the signal is not dissipated via the damping circuit 60 becausethe damping circuit is not set to ground and, thus, a short from theamplifier circuit and the current substantially bypasses the dampingcircuit 60. If the OOK data signals are in an “off” state, then thedamping signals may be “on” and, thus, the damping transistor 63 is setto an “on” state and the current flowing of V_(AC) is damped by thedamping circuit. Thus, when “on,” the damping circuit 60 may beconfigured to dissipate just enough power, current, and/or voltage, suchthat efficiency in the system is not substantially affected and suchdissipation decreases rise and/or fall times in the OOK signal. Further,because the damping signal may instruct the damping transistor 63 toturn “off” when the OOK signal is “on,” then it will not unnecessarilydamp the signal, thus mitigating any efficiency losses from V_(AC), whendamping is not needed.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the branch of the amplifier 42 which mayinclude the damping circuit 60, is positioned at the output drain of theamplifier transistor 48. While it is not necessary that the dampingcircuit 60 be positioned here, in some examples, this may aid inproperly damping the output AC wireless signal, as it will be able todamp at the node closest to the amplifier transistor 48 output drain,which is the first node in the circuit wherein energy dissipation isdesired. In such examples, the damping circuit is in electrical parallelconnection with a drain of the amplifier transistor 48. However, it iscertainly possible that the damping circuit be connected proximate tothe antenna 21, proximate to the transmission tuning system 24, and/orproximate to a filter circuit 24.

While the damping circuit 60 is capable of functioning to properly dampthe AC wireless signal for proper communications at higher power highfrequency wireless power transmission, in some examples, the dampingcircuit may include additional components. For instance, as illustrated,the damping circuit 60 may include one or more of a damping diodeD_(DAMP), a damping resistor R_(DAMP), a damping capacitor C_(DAMP),and/or any combinations thereof. R_(DAMP) may be in electrical serieswith the damping transistor 63 and the value of R_(DAMP) (ohms) may beconfigured such that it dissipates at least some power from the powersignal, which may serve to accelerate rise and fall times in anamplitude shift keying signal, an OOK signal, and/or combinationsthereof. In some examples, the value of R_(DAMP) is selected,configured, and/or designed such that R_(DAMP) dissipates the minimumamount of power to achieve the fastest rise and/or fall times in anin-band signal allowable and/or satisfy standards limitations forminimum rise and/or fall times; thereby achieving data fidelity atmaximum efficiency (less power lost to R_(DAMP)) as well as maintainingdata fidelity when the system is unloaded and/or under lightest loadconditions.

C_(DAMP) may also be in series connection with one or both of thedamping transistor 63 and R_(DAMP). C_(DAMP) may be configured to smoothout transition points in an in-band signal and limit overshoot and/orundershoot conditions in such a signal. Further, in some examples,C_(DAMP) may be configured for ensuring the damping performed is 180degrees out of phase with the AC wireless power signal, when thetransistor is activated via the damping signal.

D_(DAMP) may further be included in series with one or more of thedamping transistor 63, R_(DAMP), C_(DAMP), and/or any combinationsthereof. D_(DAMP) is positioned, as shown, such that a current cannotflow out of the damping circuit 60, when the damping transistor 63 is inan off state. The inclusion of D_(DAMP) may prevent power efficiencyloss in the AC power signal when the damping circuit is not active or“on.” Indeed, while the damping transistor 63 is designed such that, inan ideal scenario, it serves to effectively short the damping circuitwhen in an “off” state, in practical terms, some current may still reachthe damping circuit and/or some current may possibly flow in theopposite direction out of the damping circuit 60. Thus, inclusion ofD_(DAMP) may prevent such scenarios and only allow current, power,and/or voltage to be dissipated towards the damping transistor 63. Thisconfiguration, including D_(DAMP), may be desirable when the dampingcircuit 60 is connected at the drain node of the amplifier transistor48, as the signal may be a half-wave sine wave voltage and, thus, thevoltage of V_(AC) is always positive.

Beyond the damping circuit 60, the amplifier 42, in some examples, mayinclude a shunt capacitor C_(SHUNT). C_(SHUNT) may be configured toshunt the AC power signal to ground and charge voltage of the AC powersignal. Thus, C_(SHUNT) may be configured to maintain an efficient andstable waveform for the AC power signal, such that a duty cycle of about50% is maintained and/or such that the shape of the AC power signal issubstantially sinusoidal at positive voltages.

In some examples, the amplifier 42 may include a filter circuit 65. Thefilter circuit 65 may be designed to mitigate and/or filter outelectromagnetic interference (EMI) within the wireless transmissionsystem 20. Design of the filter circuit 65 may be performed in view ofimpedance transfer and/or effects on the impedance transfer of thewireless power transmission 20 due to alterations in tuning made by thetransmission tuning system 24. To that end, the filter circuit 65 may beor include one or more of a low pass filter, a high pass filter, and/ora band pass filter, among other filter circuits that are configured for,at least, mitigating EMI in a wireless power transmission system.

As illustrated, the filter circuit 65 may include a filter inductorL_(o) and a filter capacitor C_(o). The filter circuit 65 may have acomplex impedance and, thus, a resistance through the filter circuit 65may be defined as R_(o). In some such examples, the filter circuit 65may be designed and/or configured for optimization based on, at least, afilter quality factor γ_(FILTER), defined as:

$\gamma_{FILTER} = {\frac{1}{R_{o}}{\sqrt{\frac{L_{o}}{C_{o}}}.}}$

In a filter circuit 65 wherein it includes or is embodied by a low passfilter, the cut-off frequency (ω_(o)) of the low pass filter is definedas:

$\omega_{o} = {\frac{1}{\sqrt{L_{o}C_{o}}}.}$

In some wireless power transmission systems 20, it is desired that thecutoff frequency be about 1.03-1.4 times greater than the operatingfrequency of the antenna. Experimental results have determined that, ingeneral, a larger γ_(FILTER) may be preferred, because the largerγ_(FILTER) can improve voltage gain and improve system voltage rippleand timing. Thus, the above values for L_(o) and C_(o) may be set suchthat γ_(FILTER) can be optimized to its highest, ideal level (e.g., whenthe system 10 impedance is conjugately matched for maximum powertransfer), given cutoff frequency restraints and available componentsfor the values of L_(o) and C_(o).

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the conditioned signal(s) from the amplifier42 is then received by the transmission tuning system 24, prior totransmission by the antenna 21. The transmission tuning system 24 mayinclude tuning and/or impedance matching, filters (e.g. a low passfilter, a high pass filter, a “pi” or “H” filter, a “T” filter, an “L”filter, a “LL” filter, and/or an L-C trap filter, among other filters),network matching, sensing, and/or conditioning elements configured tooptimize wireless transfer of signals from the wireless transmissionsystem 20 to the wireless receiver system 30. Further, the transmissiontuning system 24 may include an impedance matching circuit, which isdesigned to match impedance with a corresponding wireless receiversystem 30 for given power, current, and/or voltage requirements forwireless transmission of one or more of electrical energy, electricalpower, electromagnetic energy, and electronic data. The illustratedtransmission tuning system 24 includes, at least, C_(Z1), C_(Z2). and(operatively associated with the antenna 21) values, all of which may beconfigured for impedance matching in one or both of the wirelesstransmission system 20 and the broader system 10. It is noted thatC_(Tx) refers to the intrinsic capacitance of the antenna 21.

Turning now to FIG. 9 and with continued reference to, at least, FIGS. 1and 2, the wireless receiver system 30 is illustrated in further detail.The wireless receiver system 30 is configured to receive, at least,electrical energy, electrical power, electromagnetic energy, and/orelectrically transmittable data via near field magnetic coupling fromthe wireless transmission system 20, via the transmission antenna 21. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the wireless receiver system 30 includes, atleast, the receiver antenna 31, a receiver tuning and filtering system34, a power conditioning system 32, a receiver control system 36, and avoltage isolation circuit 70. The receiver tuning and filtering system34 may be configured to substantially match the electrical impedance ofthe wireless transmission system 20. In some examples, the receivertuning and filtering system 34 may be configured to dynamically adjustand substantially match the electrical impedance of the receiver antenna31 to a characteristic impedance of the power generator or the load at adriving frequency of the transmission antenna 20.

As illustrated, the power conditioning system 32 includes a rectifier 33and a voltage regulator 35. In some examples, the rectifier 33 is inelectrical connection with the receiver tuning and filtering system 34.The rectifier 33 is configured to modify the received electrical energyfrom an alternating current electrical energy signal to a direct currentelectrical energy signal. In some examples, the rectifier 33 iscomprised of at least one diode. Some non-limiting exampleconfigurations for the rectifier 33 include, but are not limited toincluding, a full wave rectifier, including a center tapped full waverectifier and a full wave rectifier with filter, a half wave rectifier,including a half wave rectifier with filter, a bridge rectifier,including a bridge rectifier with filter, a split supply rectifier, asingle phase rectifier, a three phase rectifier, a voltage doubler, asynchronous voltage rectifier, a controlled rectifier, an uncontrolledrectifier, and a half controlled rectifier. As electronic devices may besensitive to voltage, additional protection of the electronic device maybe provided by clipper circuits or devices. In this respect, therectifier 33 may further include a clipper circuit or a clipper device,which is a circuit or device that removes either the positive half (tophalf), the negative half (bottom half), or both the positive and thenegative halves of an input AC signal. In other words, a clipper is acircuit or device that limits the positive amplitude, the negativeamplitude, or both the positive and the negative amplitudes of the inputAC signal.

Some non-limiting examples of a voltage regulator 35 include, but arenot limited to, including a series linear voltage regulator, a buckconvertor, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, a shunt linear voltageregulator, a step up switching voltage regulator, a step down switchingvoltage regulator, an invertor voltage regulator, a Zener controlledtransistor series voltage regulator, a charge pump regulator, and anemitter follower voltage regulator. The voltage regulator 35 may furtherinclude a voltage multiplier, which is as an electronic circuit ordevice that delivers an output voltage having an amplitude (peak value)that is two, three, or more times greater than the amplitude (peakvalue) of the input voltage. The voltage regulator 35 is in electricalconnection with the rectifier 33 and configured to adjust the amplitudeof the electrical voltage of the wirelessly received electrical energysignal, after conversion to AC by the rectifier 33. In some examples,the voltage regulator 35 may an LDO linear voltage regulator; however,other voltage regulation circuits and/or systems are contemplated. Asillustrated, the direct current electrical energy signal output by thevoltage regulator 35 is received at the load 16 of the electronic device14. In some examples, a portion of the direct current electrical powersignal may be utilized to power the receiver control system 36 and anycomponents thereof; however, it is certainly possible that the receivercontrol system 36, and any components thereof, may be powered and/orreceive signals from the load 16 (e.g., when the load 16 is a batteryand/or other power source) and/or other components of the electronicdevice 14.

The receiver control system 36 may include, but is not limited toincluding, a receiver controller 38, a communications system 39 and amemory 37. The receiver controller 38 may be any electronic controlleror computing system that includes, at least, a processor which performsoperations, executes control algorithms, stores data, retrieves data,gathers data, controls and/or provides communication with othercomponents and/or subsystems associated with the wireless receiversystem 30. The receiver controller 38 may be a single controller or mayinclude more than one controller disposed to control various functionsand/or features of the wireless receiver system 30. Functionality of thereceiver controller 38 may be implemented in hardware and/or softwareand may rely on one or more data maps relating to the operation of thewireless receiver system 30. To that end, the receiver controller 38 maybe operatively associated with the memory 37. The memory may include oneor both of internal memory, external memory, and/or remote memory (e.g.,a database and/or server operatively connected to the receivercontroller 38 via a network, such as, but not limited to, the Internet).The internal memory and/or external memory may include, but are notlimited to including, one or more of a read only memory (ROM), includingprogrammable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or sometimes but rarely labelled EROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory(RAM), including dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronousdynamic RAM (SDRAM), single data rate synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRSDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3,DDR4), and graphics double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM (GDDRSDRAM, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5, a flash memory, a portable memory,and the like. Such memory media are examples of nontransitory computerreadable memory media.

Further, while particular elements of the receiver control system 36 areillustrated as subcomponents and/or circuits (e.g., the memory 37, thecommunications system 39, among other contemplated elements) of thereceiver control system 36, such components may be external of thereceiver controller 38. In some examples, the receiver controller 38 maybe and/or include one or more integrated circuits configured to includefunctional elements of one or both of the receiver controller 38 and thewireless receiver system 30, generally. As used herein, the term“integrated circuits” generally refers to a circuit in which all or someof the circuit elements are inseparably associated and electricallyinterconnected so that it is considered to be indivisible for thepurposes of construction and commerce. Such integrated circuits mayinclude, but are not limited to including, thin-film transistors,thick-film technologies, and/or hybrid integrated circuits.

In some examples, the receiver controller 38 may be a dedicated circuitconfigured to send and receive data at a given operating frequency. Forexample, the receiver controller 38 may be a tagging or identifierintegrated circuit, such as, but not limited to, an NFC tag and/orlabelling integrated circuit. Examples of such NFC tags and/or labellingintegrated circuits include the NTAG® family of integrated circuitsmanufactured by NXP Semiconductors N.V. However, the communicationssystem 39 is certainly not limited to these example components and, insome examples, the communications system 39 may be implemented withanother integrated circuit (e.g., integrated with the receivercontroller 38), and/or may be another transceiver of or operativelyassociated with one or both of the electronic device 14 and the wirelessreceiver system 30, among other contemplated communication systemsand/or apparatus. Further, in some examples, functions of thecommunications system 39 may be integrated with the receiver controller38, such that the controller modifies the inductive field between theantennas 21, 31 to communicate in the frequency band of wireless powertransfer operating frequency.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the wireless receiver system 30 isillustrated in further detail to show some example functionality of oneor more of the receiver controller 38, the voltage isolation circuit 70,and the rectifier 33. The block diagram of the wireless receiver system30 illustrates one or more electrical signals and the conditioning ofsuch signals, altering of such signals, transforming of such signals,rectifying of such signals, amplification of such signals, andcombinations thereof. Similarly to FIG. 6, DC power signals areillustrated with heavily bolded lines, such that the lines aresignificantly thicker than other solid lines in FIG. 6 and other figuresof the instant application, AC signals are illustrated as substantiallysinusoidal wave forms with a thickness significantly less bolded thanthat of the DC power signal bolding, and data signals are represented asdotted lines. FIG. 11 illustrates sample electrical components forelements of the wireless transmission system, and subcomponents thereof,in a simplified form. Note that FIG. 11 may represent one branch orsubsection of a schematic for the wireless receiver system 30 and/orcomponents of the wireless receiver system 30 may be omitted from theschematic, illustrated in FIG. 11, for clarity.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the receiver antenna 31 receives the ACwireless signal, which includes the AC power signal (V_(AC)) and thedata signals (denoted as “Data” in FIG. 10), from the transmitterantenna 21 of the wireless transmission system 20. (It should beunderstood an example of a transmitted AC power signal and data signalwas previously shown in FIG. 6). V_(AC) will be received at therectifier 33 and/or the broader receiver power conditioning system 32,wherein the AC wireless power signal is converted to a DC wireless powersignal (V_(DC_REKT)). V_(DC_REKT) is then provided to, at least, theload 16 that is operatively associated with the wireless receiver system30. In some examples, V_(DC_REKT) is regulated by the voltage regulator35 and provided as a DC input voltage (V_(DC_CONT)) for the receivercontroller 38. In some examples, such as the signal path shown in FIG.11, the receiver controller 38 may be directly powered by the load 16.In some other examples, the receiver controller 38 need not be poweredby the load 16 and/or receipt of V_(DC_CONT), but the receivercontroller 38 may harness, capture, and/or store power from V_(AC), aspower receipt occurring in receiving, decoding, and/or otherwisedetecting the data signals in-band of V_(AC).

The receiver controller 38 is configured to perform one or more ofencoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless data signals,receiving the wireless data signals, transmitting the wireless datasignals, and/or any combinations thereof. In examples, wherein the datasignals are encoded and/or decoded as amplitude shift keyed (ASK)signals and/or OOK signals, the receiver controller 38 may receiveand/or otherwise detect or monitor voltage levels of V_(AC) to detectin-band ASK and/or OOK signals. However, at higher power levels thanthose currently utilized in standard high frequency, NFMC communicationsand/or low power wireless power transmission, large voltages and/orlarge voltage swings at the input of a controller, such as thecontroller 38, may be too large for legacy microprocessor controllers tohandle without disfunction or damage being done to suchmicrocontrollers. Additionally, certain microcontrollers may only beoperable at certain operating voltage ranges and, thus, when highfrequency wireless power transfer occurs, the voltage swings at theinput to such microcontrollers may be out of range or too wide of arange for consistent operation of the microcontroller.

For example, in some high frequency higher power wireless power transfersystems 10, when an output power from the wireless power transmitter 20is greater than 1 W, voltage across the controller 38 may be higher thandesired for the controller 38. Higher voltage, lower currentconfigurations are often desirable, as such configurations may generatelower thermal losses and/or lower generated heat in the system 10, incomparison to a high current, low voltage transmission. To that end, theload 16 may not be a consistent load, meaning that the resistance and/orimpedance at the load 16 may swing drastically during, before, and/orafter an instance of wireless power transfer.

This is particularly an issue when the load 16 is a battery or otherpower storing device, as a fully charged battery has a much higherresistance than a fully depleted battery. For the purposes of thisillustrative discussion, we will assume:

V _(AC_MIN) =I _(AC_MIN) *R _(LOAD_MIN), and

P _(AC_MIN) =I _(AC) *V _(LOAD_MIN)=(I _(AC_MIN))² *R _(LOAD_MIN)

wherein R_(LOAD_MIN) is the minimum resistance of the load 16 (e.g., ifthe load 16 is or includes a battery, when the battery of the load 16 isdepleted), I_(AC_MIN) is the current at R_(LOAD_MIN), V_(AC_MIN) is thevoltage of V_(AC) when the load 16 is at its minimum resistance andP_(AC_MIN) is the optimal power level for the load 16 at its minimalresistance. Further, we will assume:

V _(AC_Max) =I _(AC_MAX) *R _(LOAD_MAX), and

P _(AC_MAX) =I _(AC_MAX) *V _(LOAD_MAX)=(I _(AC_MAX))² *R _(LOAD_MAX)

wherein R_(LOAD_MAX) is the maximum resistance of the load 16 (e.g., ifthe load 16 is or includes a battery, when the battery of the load 16 isdepleted), I_(AC_MAX) is the current at V_(AC_MAX), V_(AC_MAX) is thevoltage of V_(AC) when the load 16 is at its minimum resistance andP_(AC_MAX) is the optimal power level for the load 16 at its maximalresistance.

Accordingly, as the current is desired to stay relatively low, theinverse relationship between I_(AC) and V_(AC) dictate that the voltagerange must naturally shift, in higher ranges, with the change ofresistance at the load 16. However, such voltage shifts may beunacceptable for proper function of the controller 38. To mitigate theseissues, the voltage isolation circuit 70 is included to isolate therange of voltages that can be seen at a data input and/or output of thecontroller 38 to an isolated controller voltage (V_(CONT)), which is ascaled version of V_(AC) and, thus, comparably scales any voltage-basedin-band data input and/or output at the controller 38. Accordingly, if arange for the AC wireless signal that is an unacceptable input range forthe controller 38 is represented by

V _(AC)=[V _(AC_MIN) :V _(AC_MAX)]

then the voltage isolation circuit 70 is configured to isolate thecontroller-unacceptable voltage range from the controller 38, by settingan impedance transformation to minimize the voltage swing and providethe controller with a scaled version of V_(AC), which does notsubstantially alter the data signal at receipt. Such a scaled controllervoltage, based on V_(AC), is V_(CONT), where

V _(CONT)=[V _(CONT_MIN) :V _(CONT_MAX)].

While an altering load is one possible reason that an unacceptablevoltage swing may occur at a data input of a controller, there may beother physical, electrical, and/or mechanical characteristics and/orphenomena that may affect voltage swings in V_(AC), such as, but notlimited to, changes in coupling (k) between the antennas 21, 31,detuning of the system(s) 10, 20, 30 due to foreign objects, proximityof another receiver system 30 within a common field area, among otherthings.

As best illustrated in FIG. 11, the voltage isolation circuit 70includes at least two capacitors, a first isolation capacitor C_(ISO1)and a second isolation capacitor C_(ISO2). While only two series, splitcapacitors are illustrated in FIG. 11, it should also be understood thatthe voltage isolation circuit may include additional pairs of splitseries capacitors. C_(ISO1) and C_(ISO2) are electrically in series withone another, with a node therebetween, the node providing a connectionto the data input of the receiver controller 38. C_(ISO1) and C_(ISO2)are configured to regulate V_(AC) to generate the acceptable voltageinput range V_(CONT) for input to the controller. Thus, the voltageisolation circuit 70 is configured to isolate the controller 38 fromV_(AC), which is a load voltage, if one considers the rectifier 33 to bepart of a downstream load from the receiver controller 38.

In some examples, the capacitance values are configured such that aparallel combination of all capacitors of the voltage isolation circuit70 (e.g. C_(ISO1) and C_(ISO2)) is equal to a total capacitance for thevoltage isolation circuit (C_(TOTAL)). Thus,

C _(ISO11) ∥C _(ISO2) =C _(TOTAL),

wherein C_(TOTAL) is a constant capacitance configured for theacceptable voltage input range for input to the controller. C_(TOTAL)can be determined by experimentation and/or can be configured viamathematical derivation for a particular microcontroller embodying thereceiver controller 38.

In some examples, with a constant C_(TOTAL), individual values for theisolation capacitors C_(ISO1) and C_(ISO2) may be configured inaccordance with the following relationships:

${C_{{ISO}\; 1} = \frac{C_{TOTAL}*\left( {1 + t_{v}} \right)}{t_{v}}},{and}$C_(ISO 2) = C_(TOTAL) * (1 + t_(v)).

wherein t_(v) is a scaling factor, which can be experimentally alteredto determine the best scaling values for C_(ISO1) and C_(ISO2), for agiven system. Alternatively, t_(v) may be mathematically derived, basedon desired electrical conditions for the system. In some examples (whichmay be derived from experimental results), t_(v) may be in a range ofabout 3 to about 10.

FIG. 11 further illustrates an example for the receiver tuning andfiltering system 34, which may be configured for utilization inconjunction with the voltage isolation circuit 70. The receiver tuningand filtering system 34 of FIG. 11 includes a controller capacitorC_(CONT), which is connected in series with the data input of thereceiver controller 38. The controller capacitor is configured forfurther scaling of V_(AC) at the controller, as altered by the voltageisolation circuit 70. To that end, the first and second isolationcapacitors, as shown, may be connected in electrical parallel, withrespect to the controller capacitor.

Additionally, in some examples, the receiver tuning and filtering system34 includes a receiver shunt capacitor C_(RxSHUNT), which is connectedin electrical parallel with the receiver antenna 31. C_(RxSHUNT) isutilized for initial tuning of the impedance of the wireless receiversystem 30 and/or the broader system 30 for proper impedance matchingand/or C_(RxSHUNT) is included to increase the voltage gain of a signalreceived by the receiver antenna 31.

The wireless receiver system 30, utilizing the voltage isolation circuit70, may have the capability to achieve proper data communicationsfidelity at greater receipt power levels at the load 16, when comparedto other high frequency wireless power transmission systems. To thatend, the wireless receiver system 30, with the voltage isolation circuit70, is capable of receiving power from the wireless transmission systemthat has an output power at levels over 1 W of power, whereas legacyhigh frequency systems may be limited to receipt from output levels ofonly less than 1 W of power. For example, in legacy NFC-DC systems, thepoller (receiver system) often utilizes a microprocessor from the NTAGfamily of microprocessors, which was initially designed for very lowpower data communications. NTAG microprocessors, without protection orisolation, may not adequately and/or efficiently receive wireless powersignals at output levels over 1 W. However, inventors of the presentapplication have found, in experimental results, that when utilizingvoltage isolation circuits as disclosed herein, the NTAG chip may beutilized and/or retrofitted for wireless power transfer and wirelesscommunications, either independently or simultaneously.

To that end, the voltage isolation circuits disclosed herein may utilizeinexpensive components (e.g., isolation capacitors) to modifyfunctionality of legacy, inexpensive microprocessors (e.g., an NTAGfamily microprocessor), for new uses and/or improved functionality.Further, while alternative controllers may be used as the receivercontroller 38 that may be more capable of receipt at higher voltagelevels and/or voltage swings, such controllers may be cost prohibitive,in comparison to legacy controllers. Accordingly, the systems andmethods herein allow for use of less costly components, for high powerhigh frequency wireless power transfer.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example, non-limiting embodiment of one or moreof the transmission antenna 21 and the receiver antenna 31 that may beused with any of the systems, methods, and/or apparatus disclosedherein. In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna 21, 31, is a flatspiral coil configuration. Non-limiting examples can be found in U.S.Pat. Nos. 9,941,743, 9,960,628, 9,941,743 all to Peralta et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 9,948,129, 10,063,100 to Singh et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 9,941,590to Luzinski; U.S. Pat. No. 9,960,629 to Rajagopalan et al.; and U.S.Patent App. Nos. 2017/0040107, 2017/0040105, 2017/0040688 to Peralta etal.; all of which are assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication and incorporated fully herein by reference.

In addition, the antenna 21, 31 may be constructed having amulti-layer-multi-turn (MLMT) construction in which at least oneinsulator is positioned between a plurality of conductors. Non-limitingexamples of antennas having an MLMT construction that may beincorporated within the wireless transmission system(s) 20 and/or thewireless receiver system(s) 30 may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,610,530,8,653,927, 8,680,960, 8,692,641, 8,692,642, 8,698,590, 8,698,591,8,707,546, 8,710,948, 8,803,649, 8,823,481, 8,823,482, 8,855,786,8,898,885, 9,208,942, 9,232,893, and 9,300,046 to Singh et al., all ofwhich are assigned to the assignee of the present application areincorporated fully herein. These are merely exemplary antenna examples;however, it is contemplated that the antennas 21, 31 may be any antennacapable of the aforementioned higher power, high frequency wirelesspower transfer.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of eyewear 130, in which thewireless receiver system 30 and/or any components thereof may beintegrated within the eyewear 130, such that electronic componentswithin and/or associated with the eyewear can receive power from awireless transmission system 20, via the wireless receiver system 30. Asused herein, “eyewear” refers to any face-wearable accessory and/ordevice that covers at, least in part, at least one eye of a user.Eyewear may include, but is not limited to including, eyeglasses,prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, fashion glasses, electronicglasses, sunglasses, smart glasses with integrated electronics, speakerenabled glasses, altered reality (AR) glasses, virtual reality (VR)glasses, glasses with screens and/or projectors within or associatedwith lenses, among other contemplated eyewear. The wireless receiversystem 30 integrated with the eyewear 130 may be utilized to charge abattery or other storage device of or associated with the eyewear and/orthe wireless receiver system 30 may be configured to directly power oneor more components of or associated with the eyewear 130.

FIG. 13B illustrates the eyewear 130 of FIG. 13A combining with areceptacle 120, which includes the wireless transmission system 20integrated and/or operatively associated with the receptacle 120. Theeyewear 130 and the receptacle 120 combine as an electronic eyewearsystem 100, which integrates the system 10 therein. The receptacle 120may be any surface, device, and/or container in which the eyewear 130interacts such that the integrated wireless receiver system 30 andintegrated wireless transmission system 20 are capable of coupling forwireless power transfer. Receptacles 120 may include, but are notlimited to including, cases, pouches, holders, stands, surfaces, amongother things. It is to be noted that the form-factors illustrated forthe eyewear 130 and/or the receptacle 120 are merely exemplary and arenot intended to limit the scope of the disclosure; other form factorsfor eyewear 130 and/or receptacle(s) 120 are certainly contemplated.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of an example stylus system 200A, which mayincorporate or be operatively associated with the system 10. The stylussystem 200A includes, at least, a stylus 230, which includes, isintegrated with, and/or is operatively associated with the wirelessreceiver system 30. As used herein, a “stylus” refers to any electronicinput device which may be utilized, alone and/or in conjunction with aninput computing device (e.g., a computer, a mobile device, a tabletcomputer, etc.) to receive input via human writing and/or simulation ofhuman writing. Example stylus include, but are not limited to including,electronic pens, electronic stylus, input devices for touch screens,stylus for gaming consoles, stylus for tablet computers, free formelectronic writing and/or notating devices, among other things. Thewireless receiver system 30 integrated with the stylus 130 may beutilized to charge a battery or other storage device of or associatedwith the stylus 30 and/or the wireless receiver system 30 may beconfigured to directly power one or more components of or associatedwith the stylus 230.

As illustrated, the stylus system 220A further includes a receptacle220, which includes the wireless transmission system 20 integratedand/or operatively associated with the receptacle 220. The receptacle220 may be any surface, device, and/or container in which the stylus 230interacts such that the integrated wireless receiver system 30 andintegrated wireless transmission system 20 are capable of coupling forwireless power transfer. Receptacles 220 may include, but are notlimited to including, cases, pouches, holders, stands, surfaces, amongother things.

FIG. 14B illustrates an alternative stylus system 200B, wherein thestylus 230, and integrated wireless receiver system 30, are configuredfor interacting with a surface 220B, with integrated wirelesstransmission system 20, for the purposes of wireless power transfer fromthe surface 220B to the stylus 230, via the system 10. The surface 220B,as defined herein, refers to any surface configured to house ourotherwise obfuscate components of the wireless transmission system 20and provide sufficient a location for placement of the stylus 230, forwireless power transfer thereto. In some examples, the surface 220B maybe a surface location on an electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer,a mobile device, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a smart pad, akeyboard, a peripheral charging system, among other things), upon whichthe stylus 230 is placed for wireless power transfer via the system 10.It is to be noted that the form-factors illustrated for the stylus 230,the receptacle 220A, and/or the surface 230B are merely exemplary andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure; other formfactors for stylus 230, receptacle(s) 220A, and/or the surface(s) 230Bare certainly contemplated.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate an example wearable device system 300,which may incorporate or be operatively associated with the system 10.FIG. 15A is an isometric view of the wearable device system 300, whenoperatively in position for wireless power transfer, and FIG. 15B is aside view of the system 300, in similar positioning. The wearable devicesystem 300 includes, at least, a wearable device 330, which includes, isintegrated with, and/or is operatively associated with the wirelessreceiver system 30. As used herein, a “wearable device” refers to anylimb-wearable (e.g., wrist-wearable, ankle-wearable, leg-wearable,shoulder-wearable, forearm-wearable, upper-arm wearable, thigh-wearable,calf-wearable, hand-attached, foot-attached, etc.) and/or body wearable(chest-wearable, neck wear-able, waist-wearable, mid-section-wearable,etc.) electronic device that may require and/or benefit from receivingelectrical power for some function. Generally, a “wearable device” mayinclude a strap and/or connector (e.g., the strap 302 of the wearabledevice 330) utilized for connecting the wearable device to a user.Exemplary wearable devices include, but are not limited to including,smart watches, watches, fitness trackers, fitness bands, sleep monitors,heart rate monitors, medical devices, ankle monitors, tracking devices,industrial tracking and/or safety devices, identification devices,wearable peripherals for AR systems, wearable peripherals for VRsystems, wearable peripherals for gaming consoles and/or platforms,among other wearable devices. The wireless receiver system 30 integratedwith the wearable device 330 may be utilized to charge a battery orother storage device of or associated with the stylus 30 and/or thewireless receiver system 30 may be configured to directly power one ormore components of or associated with the wearable device.

As illustrated, the wearable device system 300 further includes acharger 320, which includes the wireless transmission system 20integrated and/or operatively associated with the charger 320. Thecharger 320 may be any surface, device, object, and/or container inwhich the wearable device 330 interacts such that the integratedwireless receiver system 30 and integrated wireless transmission system20 are capable of coupling for wireless power transfer. The charger 320may be and/or include any surfaces, proprietary devices, multidevicechargers, integrated chargers, cases, stands, holders, receptacles,and/or pouches, among other things. It is to be noted that theform-factors illustrated for the wearable device 330 and/or the charger320 are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure; other form factors for the wearable device 330 and/or thecharger 320 are certainly contemplated.

FIG. 16A is a side view of an example listening device system 400A whichmay incorporate or be operatively associated with the system 10. Thehearable listening system 400A includes, at least, one or more listeningdevices 430A, which include, are integrated with, and/or are operativelyassociated with the wireless receiver system 30. As used herein, a“listening device” may include any portable device designed to outputsound that can be heard by a user, such as headphones, earbuds,canalphones, over ear headphones, ear-fitting headphones, headsets,digital conferencing headsets, among other listening devices. Headphonesare one type of portable listening device, while portable speakers areanother. The term “headphones” represents a pair of small, portablelistening devices that are designed to be worn on or around a user'shead. Such devices convert an electrical signal to a corresponding soundthat can be heard by the device. Headphones include traditionalheadphones that are worn over a user's head and include left and rightlistening devices connected to each other by a head band, headsets, andearbuds. Earbuds may be defined as small headphones that are designed tobe fitted directly in a user's ear. As used herein, the term “earbuds,”which can also be referred to as ear-phones or ear-fitting headphones,includes both small headphones that fit within a user's outer ear facingthe ear canal without being inserted in the ear canal, and in-earheadphones, sometimes referred to as canalphones, that are inserted inthe ear canal itself. The wireless receiver system 30 integrated withthe listening device(s) 430A may be utilized to charge a battery orother storage device of or associated with the listening device(s) 430Aand/or the wireless receiver system 30 may be configured to directlypower one or more components of or associated with the listeningdevice(s) 430A.

As illustrated, the listening device system 400A includes a case 420,which includes the wireless transmission system 20 integrated and/oroperatively associated with the case 420. The case 420 may be anycontainer, receptacle, case, housing, flexible plastic housing, clothcase, leather case, among other things, in which the listening device(s)430A may reside, at least in part, in a manner in which the wirelessreceiver system 30 and the wireless transmission system 20 of the case420 are capable of coupling for wireless power transfer. In someexamples, such as the illustration of FIG. 16A, the case 420 may defineone or more mechanical features 402, which are configured for aligningthe wireless transmission system 20 with the wireless receiver system 30for proper placement for wireless power transfer.

FIG. 16B is another embodiment of an exemplary listening device system400B, wherein listening device(s) 430B include and/or are operativelyassociated with the wireless receiver system 30 and a charging surface420B is operatively associated with the wireless transmission system 20and configured for allowing wireless power transfer over the system 10.The listening device(s) 430B may comprise any of the same types oflistening devices described above with reference to the listeningdevice(s) 430A of FIG. 16A. The charging surface 420B may be any surfaceconfigured to house the wireless transmission system 20, obfuscate thewireless transmission system 20, indicate presence of the wirelesstransmission system 20, and/or indicate a charge volume for thelistening device(s) 430B. To that end, the charging surface 420B may bea surface of a proprietary charger, a surface of a multidevice charger,a surface within a case and/or receptacle for the listening device(s)430B, a surface of an electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer, asmartphone, a mobile device, a tablet computer, among other electronicdevices), a consumer, private, and/or commercial table and/orcountertop, and/or a desktop, among other contemplated surfaces. It isto be noted that the form-factors illustrated for the listening devices430A, 430B, the case 420A, and the charging surface 420B are merelyexemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure;other form factors for the listening devices 430A, 430B, the case 420A,and the charging surface 420B are certainly contemplated.

FIG. 17 is an example block diagram for a method 1000 of designing asystem for wirelessly transferring one or more of electrical energy,electrical power, electromagnetic energy, and electronic data, inaccordance with the systems, methods, and apparatus of the presentdisclosure. To that end, the method 1000 may be utilized to design asystem in accordance with any disclosed embodiments of the system 10 andany components thereof.

At block 1200, the method 1000 includes designing a wirelesstransmission system for use in the system 10. The wireless transmissionsystem designed at block 1200 may be designed in accordance with one ormore of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the wirelesstransmission system 20, in whole or in part and, optionally, includingany components thereof. Block 1200 may be implemented as a method 1200for designing a wireless transmission system.

Turning now to FIG. 18 and with continued reference to the method 1000of FIG. 18, an example block diagram for the method 1200 for designing awireless transmission system is illustrated. The wireless transmissionsystem designed by the method 1200 may be designed in accordance withone or more of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of thewireless transmission system 20 in whole or in part and, optionally,including any components thereof. The method 1200 includes designingand/or selecting a transmission antenna for the wireless transmissionsystem, as illustrated in block 1210. The designed and/or selectedtransmission antenna may be designed and/or selected in accordance withone or more of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of thetransmission antenna 21, in whole or in part and including anycomponents thereof. The method 1200 also includes designing and/ortuning a transmission tuning system for the wireless transmissionsystem, as illustrated in block 1220. Such designing and/or tuning maybe utilized for, but not limited to being utilized for, impedancematching, as discussed in more detail above. The designed and/or tunedtransmission tuning system may be designed and/or tuned in accordancewith one or more of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments ofwireless transmission system 20, in whole or in part and, optionally,including any components thereof.

The method 1200 further includes designing a power conditioning systemfor the wireless transmission system, as illustrated in block 1230. Thepower conditioning system designed may be designed with any of aplurality of power output characteristic considerations, such as, butnot limited to, power transfer efficiency, maximizing a transmission gap(e.g., the gap 17), increasing output voltage to a receiver, mitigatingpower losses during wireless power transfer, increasing power outputwithout degrading fidelity for data communications, optimizing poweroutput for multiple coils receiving power from a common circuit and/oramplifier, among other contemplated power output characteristicconsiderations. The power conditioning system may be designed inaccordance with one or more of the aforementioned and disclosedembodiments of the power conditioning system 40, in whole or in partand, optionally, including any components thereof. Further, at block1240, the method 1200 may involve determining and/or optimizing aconnection, and any associated connection components, between the inputpower source 12 and the power conditioning system that is designed atblock 1230. Such determining and/or optimizing may include selecting andimplementing protection mechanisms and/or apparatus, selecting and/orimplementing voltage protection mechanisms, among other things.

The method 1200 further includes designing and/or programing atransmission control system of the wireless transmission system of themethod 1000, as illustrated in block 1250. The designed transmissioncontrol system may be designed in accordance with one or more of theaforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the transmission controlsystem 26, in whole or in part and, optionally, including any componentsthereof. Such components thereof include, but are not limited toincluding, the sensing system 50, the driver 41, the transmissioncontroller 28, the memory 27, the communications system 29, the thermalsensing system 52, the object sensing system 54, the receiver sensingsystem 56, the other sensor(s) 58, the gate voltage regulator 43, thePWM generator 41, the frequency generator 348, in whole or in part and,optionally, including any components thereof.

Returning now to FIG. 17, at block 1300, the method 1000 includesdesigning a wireless receiver system for use in the system 10. Thewireless transmission system designed at block 1300 may be designed inaccordance with one or more of the aforementioned and disclosedembodiments of the wireless receiver system 30 in whole or in part and,optionally, including any components thereof. Block 1300 may beimplemented as a method 1300 for designing a wireless receiver system.

Turning now to FIG. 19 and with continued reference to the method 1000of FIG. 17, an example block diagram for the method 1300 for designing awireless receiver system is illustrated. The wireless receiver systemdesigned by the method 1300 may be designed in accordance with one ormore of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the wirelessreceiver system 30 in whole or in part and, optionally, including anycomponents thereof. The method 1300 includes designing and/or selectinga receiver antenna for the wireless receiver system, as illustrated inblock 1310. The designed and/or selected receiver antenna may bedesigned and/or selected in accordance with one or more of theaforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the receiver antenna 31, inwhole or in part and including any components thereof. The method 1300includes designing and/or tuning a receiver tuning system for thewireless receiver system, as illustrated in block 1320. Such designingand/or tuning may be utilized for, but not limited to being utilizedfor, impedance matching, as discussed in more detail above. The designedand/or tuned receiver tuning system may be designed and/or tuned inaccordance with one or more of the aforementioned and disclosedembodiments of the receiver tuning and filtering system 34 in whole orin part and/or, optionally, including any components thereof.

The method 1300 further includes designing a power conditioning systemfor the wireless receiver system, as illustrated in block 1330. Thepower conditioning system may be designed with any of a plurality ofpower output characteristic considerations, such as, but not limited to,power transfer efficiency, maximizing a transmission gap (e.g., the gap17), increasing output voltage to a receiver, mitigating power lossesduring wireless power transfer, increasing power output withoutdegrading fidelity for data communications, optimizing power output formultiple coils receiving power from a common circuit and/or amplifier,among other contemplated power output characteristic considerations. Thepower conditioning system may be designed in accordance with one or moreof the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the powerconditioning system 32 in whole or in part and, optionally, includingany components thereof. Further, at block 1340, the method 1300 mayinvolve determining and/or optimizing a connection, and any associatedconnection components, between the load 16 and the power conditioningsystem of block 1330. Such determining may include selecting andimplementing protection mechanisms and/or apparatus, selecting and/orimplementing voltage protection mechanisms, among other things.

The method 1300 further includes designing and/or programing a receivercontrol system of the wireless receiver system of the method 1300, asillustrated in block 1350. The designed receiver control system may bedesigned in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned anddisclosed embodiments of the receiver control system 36 in whole or inpart and, optionally, including any components thereof. Such componentsthereof include, but are not limited to including, the receivercontroller 38, the memory 37, and the communications system 39, in wholeor in part and, optionally, including any components thereof.

Returning now to the method 1000 of FIG. 17, the method 1000 furtherincludes, at block 1400, optimizing and/or tuning both the wirelesstransmission system and the wireless receiver system for wireless powertransfer. Such optimizing and/or tuning includes, but is not limited toincluding, controlling and/or tuning parameters of system components tomatch impedance, optimize and/or set voltage and/or power levels of anoutput power signal, among other things and in accordance with any ofthe disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus herein. Further, themethod 1000 includes optimizing and/or tuning one or both of thewireless transmission system and the wireless receiver system for datacommunications, in view of system characteristics necessary for wirelesspower transfer. Such optimizing and/or tuning includes, but is notlimited to including, optimizing power characteristics for concurrenttransmission of electrical power signals and electrical data signals,tuning quality factors of antennas for different transmission schemes,among other things and in accordance with any of the disclosed systems,methods, and apparatus herein.

FIG. 20 is an example block diagram for a method 2000 for manufacturinga system for wirelessly transferring one or both of electrical powersignals and electrical data signals, in accordance with the systems,methods, and apparatus of the present disclosure. To that end, themethod 2000 may be utilized to manufacture a system in accordance withany disclosed embodiments of the system 10 and any components thereof.

At block 2200, the method 2000 includes manufacturing a wirelesstransmission system for use in the system 10. The wireless transmissionsystem manufactured at block 2200 may be designed in accordance with oneor more of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the wirelesstransmission system 20 in whole or in part and, optionally, includingany components thereof. Block 2200 may be implemented as a method 2200for manufacturing a wireless transmission system.

Turning now to FIG. 21 and with continued reference to the method 2000of FIG. 20, an example block diagram for the method 2200 formanufacturing a wireless transmission system is illustrated. Thewireless transmission system manufactured by the method 2200 may bemanufactured in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned anddisclosed embodiments of the wireless transmission system 20 in whole orin part and, optionally, including any components thereof. The method2200 includes manufacturing a transmission antenna for the wirelesstransmission system, as illustrated in block 2210. The manufacturedtransmission system may be built and/or tuned in accordance with one ormore of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the transmissionantenna 21, in whole or in part and including any components thereof.The method 2200 also includes building and/or tuning a transmissiontuning system for the wireless transmission system, as illustrated inblock 2220. Such building and/or tuning may be utilized for, but notlimited to being utilized for, impedance matching, as discussed in moredetail above. The built and/or tuned transmission tuning system may bedesigned and/or tuned in accordance with one or more of theaforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the transmission tuningsystem 24, in whole or in part and, optionally, including any componentsthereof.

The method 2200 further includes selecting and/or connecting a powerconditioning system for the wireless transmission system, as illustratedin block 2230. The power conditioning system manufactured may bedesigned with any of a plurality of power output characteristicconsiderations, such as, but not limited to, power transfer efficiency,maximizing a transmission gap (e.g., the gap 17), increasing outputvoltage to a receiver, mitigating power losses during wireless powertransfer, increasing power output without degrading fidelity for datacommunications, optimizing power output for multiple coils receivingpower from a common circuit and/or amplifier, among other contemplatedpower output characteristic considerations. The power conditioningsystem may be designed in accordance with one or more of theaforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the power conditioningsystem 40 in whole or in part and, optionally, including any componentsthereof. Further, at block 2240, the method 2200 involve determiningand/or optimizing a connection, and any associated connectioncomponents, between the input power source 12 and the power conditioningsystem of block 2230. Such determining may include selecting andimplementing protection mechanisms and/or apparatus, selecting and/orimplementing voltage protection mechanisms, among other things.

The method 2200 further includes assembling and/or programing atransmission control system of the wireless transmission system of themethod 2000, as illustrated in block 2250. The assembled transmissioncontrol system may be assembled and/or programmed in accordance with oneor more of the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of thetransmission control system 26 in whole or in part and, optionally,including any components thereof. Such components thereof include, butare not limited to including, the sensing system 50, the driver 41, thetransmission controller 28, the memory 27, the communications system 29,the thermal sensing system 52, the object sensing system 54, thereceiver sensing system 56, the other sensor(s) 58, the gate voltageregulator 43, the PWM generator 41, the frequency generator 348, inwhole or in part and, optionally, including any components thereof.

Returning now to FIG. 20, at block 2300, the method 2000 includesmanufacturing a wireless receiver system for use in the system 10. Thewireless transmission system manufactured at block 2300 may be designedin accordance with one or more of the aforementioned and disclosedembodiments of the wireless receiver system 30 in whole or in part and,optionally, including any components thereof. Block 2300 may beimplemented as a method 2300 for manufacturing a wireless receiversystem.

Turning now to FIG. 22 and with continued reference to the method 2000of FIG. 20, an example block diagram for the method 2300 formanufacturing a wireless receiver system is illustrated. The wirelessreceiver system manufactured by the method 2300 may be designed inaccordance with one or more of the aforementioned and disclosedembodiments of the wireless receiver system 30 in whole or in part and,optionally, including any components thereof. The method 2300 includesmanufacturing a receiver antenna for the wireless receiver system, asillustrated in block 2310. The manufactured receiver antenna may bemanufactured, designed, and/or selected in accordance with one or moreof the aforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the receiver antenna31 in whole or in part and including any components thereof. The method2300 includes building and/or tuning a receiver tuning system for thewireless receiver system, as illustrated in block 2320. Such buildingand/or tuning may be utilized for, but not limited to being utilizedfor, impedance matching, as discussed in more detail above. The builtand/or tuned receiver tuning system may be designed and/or tuned inaccordance with one or more of the aforementioned and disclosedembodiments of the receiver tuning and filtering system 34 in whole orin part and, optionally, including any components thereof.

The method 2300 further includes selecting and/or connecting a powerconditioning system for the wireless receiver system, as illustrated inblock 2330. The power conditioning system designed may be designed withany of a plurality of power output characteristic considerations, suchas, but not limited to, power transfer efficiency, maximizing atransmission gap (e.g., the gap 17), increasing output voltage to areceiver, mitigating power losses during wireless power transfer,increasing power output without degrading fidelity for datacommunications, optimizing power output for multiple coils receivingpower from a common circuit and/or amplifier, among other contemplatedpower output characteristic considerations. The power conditioningsystem may be designed in accordance with one or more of theaforementioned and disclosed embodiments of the power conditioningsystem 32 in whole or in part and, optionally, including any componentsthereof. Further, at block 2340, the method 2300 may involve determiningand/or optimizing a connection, and any associated connectioncomponents, between the load 16 and the power conditioning system ofblock 2330. Such determining may include selecting and implementingprotection mechanisms and/or apparatus, selecting and/or implementingvoltage protection mechanisms, among other things.

The method 2300 further includes assembling and/or programing a receivercontrol system of the wireless receiver system of the method 2300, asillustrated in block 2350. The assembled receiver control system may bedesigned in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned anddisclosed embodiments of the receiver control system 36 in whole or inpart and, optionally, including any components thereof. Such componentsthereof include, but are not limited to including, the receivercontroller 38, the memory 37, and the communications system 39, in wholeor in part and, optionally, including any components thereof.

Returning now to the method 2000 of FIG. 20, the method 2000 furtherincludes, at block 2400, optimizing and/or tuning both the wirelesstransmission system and the wireless receiver system for wireless powertransfer. Such optimizing and/or tuning includes, but is not limited toincluding, controlling and/or tuning parameters of system components tomatch impedance, optimize and/or configure voltage and/or power levelsof an output power signal, among other things and in accordance with anyof the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus herein. Further, themethod 2000 includes optimizing and/or tuning one or both of thewireless transmission system and the wireless receiver system for datacommunications, in view of system characteristics necessary for wirelesspower transfer, as illustrated at block 2500. Such optimizing and/ortuning includes, but is not limited to including, optimizing powercharacteristics for concurrent transmission of electrical power signalsand electrical data signals, tuning quality factors of antennas fordifferent transmission schemes, among other things and in accordancewith any of the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus herein.

The systems, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein are designed tooperate in an efficient, stable and reliable manner to satisfy a varietyof operating and environmental conditions. The systems, methods, and/orapparatus disclosed herein are designed to operate in a wide range ofthermal and mechanical stress environments so that data and/orelectrical energy is transmitted efficiently and with minimal loss. Inaddition, the system 10 may be designed with a small form factor using afabrication technology that allows for scalability, and at a cost thatis amenable to developers and adopters. In addition, the systems,methods, and apparatus disclosed herein may be designed to operate overa wide range of frequencies to meet the requirements of a wide range ofapplications.

In an embodiment, a ferrite shield may be incorporated within theantenna structure to improve antenna performance. Selection of theferrite shield material may be dependent on the operating frequency asthe complex magnetic permeability (μ=μ′−j*μ″) is frequency dependent.The material may be a polymer, a sintered flexible ferrite sheet, arigid shield, or a hybrid shield, wherein the hybrid shield comprises arigid portion and a flexible portion. Additionally, the magnetic shieldmay be composed of varying material compositions. Examples of materialsmay include, but are not limited to, zinc comprising ferrite materialssuch as manganese-zinc, nickel-zinc, copper-zinc, magnesium-zinc, andcombinations thereof.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series ofitems, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items,modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e.,each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection ofat least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaningthat includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least oneof any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of theitems. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or“at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C;any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, andC.

The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to”do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of asubject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. In one ormore embodiments, a processor configured to monitor and control anoperation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed tomonitor and control the operation or the processor being operable tomonitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured toexecute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute codeor operable to execute code.

A phrase such as “an aspect” does not imply that such aspect isessential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations.An aspect may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. A phrasesuch as an “aspect” may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. Aphrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment isessential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies toall configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating toan embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments.An embodiment may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. Aphrase such an “embodiment” may refer to one or more embodiments andvice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that suchconfiguration is essential to the subject technology or that suchconfiguration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Adisclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations,or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or moreexamples of the disclosure. A phrase such as a “configuration” may referto one or more configurations and vice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, to theextent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in thedescription or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted whenemployed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extentthat the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the descriptionor the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similarto the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as atransitional word in a claim.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construedunder the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless theelement is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in thecase of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “stepfor.”

Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one ormore. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine andneuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings andsubheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit thesubject disclosure.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but ratheras descriptions of particular implementations of the subject matter.Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in asingle embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described inthe context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a sub combination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless power transfer system comprising: awireless power transmission system comprising: a transmitter antennaconfigured to couple with at least one other antenna and transmitalternating current (AC) wireless signals to the at least one antenna,the AC wireless signals including wireless power signals and wirelessdata signals; a transmitter controller that is configured to (i) providea driving signal for driving the transmitter antenna based on anoperating frequency for the wireless power transfer system and (ii)perform one or more of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding thewireless data signals, receiving the wireless data signals, ortransmitting the wireless data signals; and an amplifier, the amplifierincluding at least one transistor that is configured to receive thedriving signal at a gate of the at least one transistor and invert adirect power (DC) input power signal to generate the AC wireless signalat the operating frequency, and a damping circuit that is configured todampen the AC wireless signals during transmission of the wireless datasignals, wherein the damping circuit includes at least a dampingtransistor that is configured to receive, from the transmittercontroller, a damping signal for switching the transistor to controldamping during transmission of the wireless data signals; and a wirelesspower receiver system comprising: a receiver antenna configured forcoupling with the transmitter antenna and receiving the AC wirelesssignals from the transmitter antenna, the receiver antenna operatingbased on the operating frequency; a power conditioning system configuredto (i) receive the wireless power signals, (ii) convert the wirelesspower signal from an AC wireless power signal to a DC wireless powersignal, and (iii) provide the DC power signal to, at least, a loadassociated with the wireless power receiver system; and a receivercontroller configured to perform one or more of encoding the wirelessdata signals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wirelessdata signals, or transmitting the wireless data signals.
 2. The wirelesspower transfer system of claim 1, wherein the damping circuit is inelectrical parallel connection with a drain of the at least onetransistor.
 3. The wireless power transfer system of claim 1, whereinthe damping circuit further includes a damping resistor that is inelectrical series with the damping transistor and is configured fordissipating at least some power from the power signal.
 4. The wirelesspower transfer system of claim 1, wherein the damping circuit furtherincludes a damping capacitor that is in electrical series with, atleast, the damping transistor.
 5. The wireless power transfer system ofclaim 1, wherein the damping circuit further includes a diode that is inelectrical series with, at least, the damping transistor and isconfigured for preventing power efficiency loss in the wireless powersignal when the damping circuit is not active.
 6. The wireless powertransfer system of claim 1, wherein the wireless power transmissionsystem further includes a filter circuit including, at least, a filtercapacitor and a filter inductor, wherein the filter circuit isconfigured based on a filter quality factor.
 7. The wireless powertransfer system of claim 6, wherein the filter quality factor(γ_(FILTER)) is defined as$\gamma_{{FILTE}R} = {\frac{1}{R_{o}}{\sqrt{\frac{L_{o}}{C_{o}}}.}}$ 8.A wireless power transfer system comprising: a wireless powertransmission system comprising: a transmitter antenna configured tocouple with at least one other antenna and transmit alternating current(AC) wireless signals to the at least one antenna, the AC wirelesssignals including wireless power signals and wireless data signals; atransmitter controller that is configured to (i) provide a drivingsignal for driving the transmitter antenna based on an operatingfrequency for the wireless power transfer system and (ii) perform one ormore of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless datasignals, receiving the wireless data signals, or transmitting thewireless data signals; and an amplifier, the amplifier including atleast one transistor that is configured to receive the driving signal ata gate of the at least one transistor and invert a direct power (DC)input power signal to generate the AC wireless signal at the operatingfrequency; and a wireless power receiver system comprising: a receiverantenna configured for coupling with the transmitter antenna andreceiving the AC wireless signals from the transmitter antenna, thereceiver antenna operating based on the operating frequency; a powerconditioning system configured to (i) receive the wireless powersignals, (ii) convert the wireless power signal from an AC wirelesspower signal to a DC wireless power signal, and (iii) provide the DCpower signal to, at least, a load associated with the wireless powerreceiver system; and a receiver controller configured to perform one ormore of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless datasignals, receiving the wireless data signals, or transmitting thewireless data signals; and a voltage isolation circuit including atleast two capacitors, wherein the at least two capacitors are inelectrical parallel with respect to the controller capacitor, andwherein the voltage isolation circuit is configured to (i) regulate theAC wireless power signal to have a voltage input range for input to thereceiver controller and (ii) isolate a controller voltage at thereceiver controller from a load voltage at the load associated with thewireless receiver system.
 9. The wireless power transfer system of claim8, wherein the wireless power receiver system further comprises acapacitor configured for scaling the AC wireless power signal at thecontroller voltage, as altered and received from the voltage isolationcircuit.
 10. The wireless power transfer system of claim 8, wherein thewireless power receiver system further comprises a shunt capacitor inelectrical parallel with the receiver antenna.
 11. The wireless powertransfer system of claim 8, wherein a first capacitance (C_(ISO1)) of afirst capacitor of the at least two capacitors and a second capacitance(C_(ISO2)) of a second capacitor of the at least two capacitors areconfigured such that:C _(ISO1) ∥C _(ISO2) =C _(TOTAL) wherein C_(TOTAL) is a totalcapacitance for the voltage isolation circuit, and wherein C_(TOTAL) isa constant configured for the voltage input range for input to thecontroller.
 12. The wireless power transfer system of claim 11, whereinthe values for the first capacitance and the second capacitance are setsuch that:${C_{{ISO}\; 1} = \frac{C_{TOTAL}*\left( {1 + t_{v}} \right)}{t_{v}}},{C_{{ISO}\; 2} = {C_{TOTAL}*{\left( {1 + t_{v}} \right).}}}$13. The wireless power transfer system of claim 12, wherein t_(v) is ina scaling factor in a range of about 3 to about
 10. 14. A Near-FieldCommunications Direct Charge (NFC-DC) system comprising: a listenercomprising: a transmitter antenna configured to couple with at least oneother antenna and transmit alternating current (AC) wireless signals tothe at least one antenna, the AC wireless signals including wirelesspower signals and wireless data signals; a transmitter controller thatis configured to (i) provide a driving signal for driving thetransmitter antenna based on an operating frequency for the NFC-DCsystem and (ii) perform one or more of encoding the wireless datasignals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless datasignals, or transmitting the wireless data signals; and an amplifier,the amplifier including at least one transistor that is configured toreceive the driving signal at a gate of the at least one transistor andinvert a direct current (DC) input power signal to generate the ACwireless signal at the operating frequency; and a poller comprising: areceiver antenna configured for coupling with the transmitter antennaand receiving the AC wireless signals from the transmitter antenna, thereceiver antenna operating based on the operating frequency; a powerconditioning system configured to (i) receive the wireless powersignals, (ii) convert the wireless power signal from an AC wirelesspower signal to a DC wireless power signal, and (iii) provide the DCpower signal to, at least, a load associated with the poller, and areceiver controller configured to perform one or more of encoding thewireless data signals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving thewireless data signals, or transmitting the wireless data signals. 15.The NFC-DC system of claim 14, wherein the operating frequency is in arange of about 13.553 MHz to about 13.567 MHz.
 16. The NFC-DC system ofclaim 14, wherein an output power of the wireless power signals are at apower greater than about 1 Watt.
 17. The NFC-DC system of claim 14,wherein the listener further includes a damping circuit configured fordamping the wireless signal during transmission of the wireless datasignals, the damping circuit including, at least, a damping transistorconfigured for receiving a damping signal from the controller, thedamping signal configured for switching the transistor to controldamping during transmission of the wireless data signals.
 18. The NFC-DCsystem of claim 14, wherein the listener further includes a filtercircuit including, at least, a filter capacitor and a filter inductor,the filter circuit configured for optimization based on a filter qualityfactor, wherein the filter quality factor (γ_(FILTER)) is defined as$\gamma_{{FILTE}R} = {\frac{1}{R_{o}}{\sqrt{\frac{L_{o}}{C_{o}}}.}}$ 19.The NFC-DC system of claim 14, wherein the poller further includes avoltage isolation circuit including at least two capacitors, the atleast two capacitors in electrical series, with input to the receivercontroller therebetween, and configured to regulate the AC wirelesspower signal to have a voltage input range for input to the controller,the voltage isolation circuit configured to isolate a controller voltageat the controller from a load voltage at a load associated with thepoller.
 20. The NFC-DC system of claim 19, wherein a first capacitance(C_(ISO1)) of a first capacitor of the at least two capacitors of thevoltage isolation circuit and a second capacitance (C_(ISO2)) of asecond capacitor of the at least two capacitors of the voltage isolationcircuit are configured such that:C _(ISO1) ∥C _(ISO2) =C _(TOTAL) wherein C_(TOTAL) is a totalcapacitance for the voltage isolation circuit, and wherein C_(TOTAL) isa constant configured for the voltage input range for input to thecontroller.